Intraocular Pressure Measurement in Africa: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Ocular hypertension (OHT) is a pervasive condition easily mistaken for glaucoma. In Africa, glaucoma is reported the highest, hence there is a need to properly distinguish it from ocular hypertension, which is the rise in IOP in the absence of glaucomatous changes. Many methods exist for measuring IOP; however, recent focus has been on non-invasive techniques. This review aims to assess the measurement of IOP among non-glaucomatous Africans. The research adopts a systematic approach employing the five-step framework by Arksey and O Malley. We used the research question to formulate a search strategy used to extract the studies included in the review. Next, we used keywords in combination with Boolean operators to search the PubMed database. The study analyzed articles published in English between 2010 and 2023. The search identified 136 articles. Both authors checked the article for screening and eligibility. The instruments used include GAT, perking’s tonometry, rebound tonometry, tonopachy, and the value of IOP among Africans ranges from 11 to 16 mmHg and varies according to instruments and population. There is a wide variation in the value of IOP among Africans. Practitioners should consider the population mean for each instrument used and central corneal thickness during IOP measurements.