J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2012 Sep;53(9):1304-1310. 10.3341/jkos.2012.53.9.1304.

The Effects of Stress on Intraocular Pressure and Lacrimal Secretion

• Woo YJ
• Kim JE
• Rah SH
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2216084
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.9.1304

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effects of psychosocial stress on intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion.
METHODS
Twenty normal adult volunteers (40 eyes) who had no history of systemic or ocular disease such as dry eye syndrome or glaucoma were recruited from clinical research participants. Heart rate, intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion were measured after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) which induces psychosocial stress. The same measurements were taken 1 week later and the recorded measurements were considered as the control group.
RESULTS
Heart rate was elevated significantly after the TSST, indicating psychosocial stress was induced by the TSST. Compared to stress resolution status, intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion were increased after the TSST (p = 0.027, p = 0.011). Elevation of intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion was statistically significant in males (p = 0.031, p = 0.007), but not significant in females (p = 0.336, p = 0.554).
CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial stress can increase intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion.

Keyword

Intraocular pressure; Lacrimal secretion; Psychosocial stress

MeSH Terms

Adult
Dry Eye Syndromes
Exercise Test
Female
Glaucoma
Heart Rate
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Male

Figure

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  Figure 1 Interior design of the stress exposure room (second room).

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  Figure 2 Mean intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion before TSST, after TSST and 1 week later.

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  Figure 3 (A) Correlation analysis of the amounts of heart rate change and the amounts of IOP (Intraocular pressure) change between after TSST and 1 week later (Pearson correlation, p = 0.460, r = -0.120). (B) Correlation analysis of the amounts of heart rate change and the amounts of lacrimal secretion change between after TSST and 1 week later (Pearson correlation, p = 0.375, r = 0.144).

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