Relationship between Body Mass Index and Intraocular Pressure: Correlational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is the most serious public health problem. Obesity is one of the major modifiable risk factors for the increased intraocular pressure and glaucomatous progression. Hence the study was conducted with the aimed to correlate the body mass index with intraocular pressure among patients attending ophthalmic OPD. Materials and Methods: Correlational design was employed with 60 samples who matched the inclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling technique. Demographic variables were collected by using multiple choice questionnaires followed by Height and weight was checked to calculate body mass index. Based on that samples were characterized the level of obesity. Intraocular pressure measured and recorded. The data were tabulated and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The finding of the study reveals that there is a significant positive correlation between the body mass index and intraocular pressure. Conclusion: Obesity related glaucomatous progression may be prevented in the initial stage itself by controlling the weight through modification in life style, dietary pattern, exercise, and lipid lowering agents and periodical ophthalmic examination especially measuring the intraocular pressure.