Relationship between Refractive Error and Intraocular Pressure in Children Attending the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic

Objectives: To assess and compare the refractive status and intraocular pressures of children attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Eye clinic.

Materials and Methods: The study was a hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study in children aged 5- 18 years attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Eye clinic. Participants were sampled in 2 groups of equal numbers: children without refractive error (emmetropes) and children with refractive error. Each group had cycloplegic refraction, intraocular pressure measurement using Pulsair tonometer, and a full ocular examination.

Results: A total of 234 children with 117 in each group. Myopia was the more common refractive error, accounting for 75.2% and 77.8% in the right and left eyes respectively.

The mean intraocular pressure was 14.72mmHg for emmetropia, 15.97mmHg for myopia, and 14.93mmHg for hyperopia in the right eye while 15.02mmHg for emmetropia, 16.05mmHg for myopia, and 13.78mmHg for hyperopia on the left eye.

A significant positive correlation was obtained between myopia and intraocular pressure (Pearson correlation, r = 0.151, p = 0.010 for the right eye and r = 0.201, p=0.001 for the left eye).

Conclusion: The higher levels of mean IOP seen in myopia compared to emmetropia and hyperopia demonstrates that children with myopia may likely develop glaucoma earlier compared to others. Therefore, more emphasis should be placed on glaucoma surveillance among myopic children.