Intraocular Pressure Response to Perceived Stress in Juvenile-Onset Open Angle Glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Juvenile-onset open angle glaucoma (JOAG) is a significant cause of vision loss in young individuals.
• Academic pressure is a common stressor for university students, potentially impacting physiological parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of academic pressure-induced stress on intraocular pressure (IOP) in JOAG patients compared to healthy controls.
• To assess the relationship between perceived stress levels and IOP fluctuations in young adults.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 48 university students (24 JOAG patients, 24 healthy controls) aged 18-27.
• Examiner-blind pretest-posttest design measuring IOP via Goldmann tonometry and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores at the start and end of an academic semester.
• Analysis of IOP and PSS score changes in relation to academic stress levels.

Main Results:

• Perceived stress significantly increased in both groups by the end of the semester (P <0.001).
• IOP increased in both groups, with a significantly greater rise in the JOAG group (+3.10 mm Hg) compared to controls (+2.23 mm Hg) (P =0.001).
• A significant interaction between stress and JOAG was observed, indicating stress disproportionately affects IOP in glaucoma patients.

Conclusions:

• Elevated perceived stress due to academic pressure is linked to increased IOP and reduced fluctuation in JOAG patients.
• Personalized stress assessment and management strategies could be beneficial as adjunctive therapies for glaucoma patients.