Factors Related to Ocular Pulse Amplititude and Intraocular Pressure during Swimming Googles Usage.

• Grant number: 09/12344-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: February 29, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Maria de Lourdes Veronese Rodrigues
• Grantee: Ana Paula Branco de Paula
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The fluctuation in the levels of the intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered an important risk factor for glaucoma. This study will investigate potential changes in IOP and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) associated with the use of swimming goggles. The use of such equipment is common and is related to a variable compression of the ocular tissues, with few studies related. It will be part of this study, the compression of periocular tissues by use of swimming goggles in healthy volunteers, with analysis of the variables IOP and OPA. Additionally, others structural parameters of the orbit and the eye, potentially related to the observed variables, will be evaluated, such as the measures of the orbital rim and scleral rigidity. The correlation between the findings will be useful to evaluate the hypothesis that the use of protective goggles, specially swimming goggles, can promote changes in the perfusion of the optic disc, due to compression of the ocular tissues, with important clinical implications in terms of progression to blindness in subjects with glaucoma.