Effect of digital massage on intraocular pressure and ocular and optic nerve blood flow

The effect of digital massage on intraocular pressure and ocular and optic nerve blood flow was studied in anaesthetized rabbits. Digital massage was performed for 15 min, with pressure release for 15 seconds after each 45 seconds of massage. Blood flow was measured in the iris, ciliary processes, choroid, retina, and optic nerve using (85Sr)-labelled microspheres. Blood flow was determined during massage, 2 min after, or 15 min after massage. Intraocular pressure was measured before, immediately after, and in one group, 15 min after massage. Immediately after digital massage, intraocular pressure was significantly lower, but 15 min after it was not significantly reduced. At both 2 min and 15 min after digital massage, compared to during massage, blood flow was significantly higher in all tissues studied.