The effect of body massage lying face down on intraocular pressure in normal eyes
Jose E.E. League, MD, Jonathan A. Rivera, MD, Edgar U. Leuenberger, MD
Objective
This study determined changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) of normal eyes during face-down body massage.
Methods
Forty-six participants were recruited and underwent detailed ophthalmic examination including gonioscopy, corneal pachymetry, and visual-field examination. IOP was recorded using a pneumatonometer before the massage, immediately after resuming the sitting position, and every 5 minutes thereafter until the IOP returned to baseline.
Results
A mean rise in IOP of 5.39 mm Hg was noted in 43 participants. There was a significant difference between baseline sitting IOP and immediately after the face-down massage (p < 0.001) and 5 minutes after the massage (p = 0.001), but not between IOP at baseline and 10 minutes after the massage (p = 0.09).
Conclusion
Change in body positiion, such as in face-down body massage, can lead to transient IOP rise with a mean of 5.39 mm Hg.
Keywords: Intraocular pressure, Glaucoma, Massage