The effect of hospitalization on intraocular pressure

Thirteen subjects with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (five men and eight women, ranging in age from 51 to 73 years) were hospitalized for four to six days during which their intraocular pressures were measured four times a day (8 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM, and 10 PM). After leaving the hospital they returned to the outpatient clinic on several occasions for similar measurements (8 AM). Eight patients were taking timolol, pilocarpine, or both and five were receiving no treatment. In all cases, the 8 AM measurement was lower during hospitalization. The difference between the two sets of measurements was significant at P = .021.