Intraocular Pressure in Korean Newborn Infant

Jun, Sam Young; Hong, Young Jae

Abstract

Measuring the intraocular pressure is necessary for diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of prognosis in all glaucoma suspect cases. Since visual field analysis of a newborn infant is impossible, the diagnosis of congenital glaucoma depends exclusively on the value of intraocular pressure. The normal values of intraocular pressure in newborn infants and children are variable according to many authors. Until 1970, the average of infants' intraocular pressure was reported to be equal to or somewhat higher than that of adults. On the other hand, it has been generally believed to be definitely lower than that of adults since 1970. Precise measurement of intraocular pressure in infants is difficult and the value varies according to many factors such as general anesthesia, anesthetics used, depth of anesthesia and types of apparatus used. We studied the value of intraocular pressure of infants under 120 hours of age. After mummifying the infant, topical anestheics was instilled and the lids were opened with an infant size eye speculum and intraocular pressure was measured using a Perkin's hand-held applanation tonometer. The results were as follows: The mean value of the intraocular pressure for the right eye was 10.27 +/- 2.01mmHg and 10.25 +/- 1.80mmHg for the left eye. The range of the intraocular pressure was 6.5~6mmHg for the right eye and 6.6~6mmHg for the left eye.