Tobacco smoking and glaucoma

Effect of cigarette smoking on aqueous humor dynamics in 70 normal males and 70 primary glaucoma patients was studied. A rise of intraocular tension of more than 5 mm after last puff of cigarette was taken as a positive result. It was observed that this test was positive in 37.1% of primary glaucoma patients and only in 11.4% in normal persons--a statistically significant difference. Cigarette smoking causes vasoconstriction and may be leading to rise in episcleral venous pressure and thus inhibiting aquenous outflow from the angle. This test can be used as a provocative test for primary glaucoma patients.