Association between Glucose Levels and Intraocular Pressure: Pre- and Postprandial Analysis in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between glucose levels and intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuation in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Seventeen nondiabetic and 20 diabetic subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, capillary glucose testing, and applanation tonometry in two distinct situations: first, fasting for at least 8 hours and, second, postprandial measurements. Baseline glucose levels were higher in diabetic patients (P<0.001). Postprandial IOP was significantly higher than baseline IOP in diabetic (P<0.001) and nondiabetic patients (P=0.006). Postprandial glucose levels were significantly higher than baseline measurements in both diabetic (P=0.005) and nondiabetic patients (P=0.015). There was a significant association between glucose levels variation and IOP change in both diabetic patients (R2=0.540;P<0.001) and nondiabetic individuals (R2=0.291;P=0.025). There is also a significant association between the baseline glucose levels and IOP change in diabetic group (R2=0.445;P=0.001). In a multivariable model, the magnitude of glucose level change remained significantly associated with IOP variation even including age, baseline IOP, ancestry, and gender as a confounding factor (P<0.001). We concluded that there is a significant association between blood glucose levels and IOP variation, especially in diabetic patients.