PSHYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND GLAUCOMA

A new study appearing in Ophthalmology Glaucoma had researchers measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) behavior in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients after induce psychological stress —a simulated job interview followed by mental arithmetic—and controls. 

The researchers found that 61.1% of patients undergoing the stress test experienced an IOP increase greater than 4mm Hg.

Because of this marked difference, the investigators “believe that repetitive stress stimuli in POAG may compromise IOP control and potentially increase the risk of disease progression.” 

On the other side of this trial, some investigations have measured IOP after anti-stress therapies. One of these studies evaluated effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on IOP and stress biomarkers in a randomized trial. After being assigned either to mindfulness meditation group or control group, results indicated mean IOP reductions from 18.8mm Hg to 12mm Hg in the right eye and 19.0mm Hg to 13.1mm Hg in the left eye of the meditation group. 

Taken together, as the authors explain, these correlations “in conjunction with our results, emphasize the correlation between IOP and stress: not only psychological stress can elevate IOP, but anti-stress therapies may improve IOP control.”