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Trabecular Meshwork Response to Pressure Elevation in the Living Human Eye
Published on: June 20, 2015
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Relationship Between Nocturnal Intraocular Pressure Variations and Sleep Macrostructure
Florent Aptel1, Perrine Canaud2, Renaud Tamisier3
1Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France 2Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, CHU Grenoble, Grenoble, France 3INSERM U1042, Lab Hypoxia and Physiopathology, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|October 28, 2015
Summary
Nocturnal intraocular pressure (IOP) varies with sleep stages. IOP is highest during REM sleep and decreases as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep deepens, showing a close relationship with sleep structure in healthy young adults.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Sleep Medicine
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) exhibits diurnal variations.
- Understanding the relationship between nocturnal IOP and sleep architecture is crucial for ocular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the relationships between nocturnal intraocular pressure (IOP) variations and sleep macrostructure in healthy subjects.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 12 healthy volunteers (22.3 ± 2.3 years).
- Continuous 24-hour IOP measurement using a contact lens sensor (CLS).
- Evaluation of IOP variations across sleep stages (NREM and REM) assessed by polysomnography.
Main Results:
- A 24-hour IOP nyctohemeral rhythm was observed in all participants.
- Nocturnal IOP was significantly lower during wakefulness than during REM and NREM sleep stages.
- IOP was highest during REM sleep, progressively decreasing as NREM sleep deepened.
- Positive correlation between micro-arousal index and nocturnal IOP variability (r = 0.76; P = 0.024).
- Negative correlation between sleep efficiency and nocturnal IOP variability (r = -0.69; P = 0.041).
Conclusions:
- Sleep microstructure and macrostructure are closely linked to nocturnal IOP variations in young, healthy individuals.
- IOP dynamics during sleep are stage-dependent, with peak levels in REM sleep.
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