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

Authors

Jose E.E. League, MD Asian Eye Institute Makati, Philippines Author
Jonathan A. Rivera, MD University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Quezon City, Philippines Author
Edgar U. Leuenberger, MD Asian Eye Institute Makati, Philippines; University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Quezon City, Philippines Author

Keywords:

Intraocular pressure, Glaucoma, Massage

Abstract

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.