PURPOSE: To assess the influence of age on intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in subjects aged over 40 years old. METHODS: This transversal and observational study realized at Piraquara city (PR) measured the IOP using Goldmann applanation tonometry. All subjects were submitted to a screening exam and patients considered as glaucoma suspects or ocular hypertensive patients were invited to a second evaluation, where a complete ophthalmological exam was performed. For the data analysis, all subjects were separated by age (40-49; 50-59; 60-69; and above 70 years of age). Further analysis excluded all patients with glaucoma and/or glaucoma suspects, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes. RESULTS: A total of 3360 subjects were evaluated of whom 2001 (59,79%) were females. The mean age was 54,04 ± 10,52 years. There was no difference in mean IOP among age groups (p = 0.19; ANOVA test). It was not observed any significant correlation between age and IOP (p = 0,11; Pearson linear correlation). When all the subjects with glaucoma and/or glaucoma suspects (n=161), DM (n=360) and SAH (n=1671) were excluded, there was no difference in mean IOP among age groups (p = 0.17; ANOVA test). However, it was observed a weak and significant negative correlation between age and IOP (p = 0,03; R = - 0,055; Pearson linear correlation). CONCLUSION: In our sample, there was no significant influence of age in IOP. However, after all subjects with glaucoma and/or glaucoma suspects, diabetes and SAH were excluded, it was observed a weak negative influence of age in IOP.
Intra-ocular pressure; Age effect; Glaucoma