Effects of accommodation and repeated applanation tonometry on intraocular pressure

Previous research on the effects of accommodation and repeated corneal applanations on intraocular pressure (IOP) has yielded inconsistent and conflicting results. Using 30 subjects, this study compares the effects of repeated Goldmann applanation tonometry with accommodation relaxed and with accommodation stimulated. IOP's were also measured after various amounts of long- and short-term accommodation. Repeated applanations with accommodation relaxed had a negligible effect on IOP. However, there was a significant reduction in IOP with accommodation stimulated. These results indicate that the effects of accommodation should be considered in the clinical measurements of IOP.