Intraocular pressure changes: the influence of psychological stress and the Valsalva maneuver

The effects of psychological stress and the Valsalva maneuver on short-term variations of intraocular pressure (IOP) were studied in 49 healthy adults . Psychological stress consisted of mental arithmetic tasks presented in co unterbalanced order by computer and by the experimenter. Additionally, a st andardized Valsalva maneuver was performed (in counterbalanced order with t he psychological stressors). IOP was measured with a Goldmann tonometer bef ore and after performance of each stressor. All three stressors transiently and highly significantly increased IOP, although the Valsalva maneuver pro duced changes of a greater magnitude (10.2 mmHg) than the psychological str essors (1.3 mmHg). Subjective stress ratings and heart rate increased in re sponse to all stressors. There were no effects of task sequence, eye muscle tension, sex, smoking status (some smokers misreported their smoking statu s), or regular marijuana use, bur regular physical exercise was associated with less IOP increase during psychological stress. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.