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Woo, Kim, Rah, and Lee: The Effects of Stress on Intraocular Pressure and Lacrimal Secretion
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2012; 53(9): 1304-1310.

Published online: 17 September 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.9.1304

The Effects of Stress on Intraocular Pressure and Lacrimal Secretion

Young Jun Woo, MD, Ji Eob Kim, MD, Sang Hoon Rah, MD, PhD, Jong Hyuck Lee, MD, PhD

Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.

Address reprint requests to Jong Hyuck Lee, MD, PhD. Department of Ophthalmology, Wonju Christian Hospital, #20 Ilsan-ro, Wonju 220-701, Korea. Tel: 82-33-741-1391, Fax: 82-33-741-1144, ophjhlee@yonsei.ac.kr

Received 26 September 2011       Accepted 21 July 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Ophthalmological Society

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of psychosocial stress on intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion.

Methods

Twenty normal adult volunteers (40 eyes) who had no history of systemic or ocular disease such as dry eye syndrome or glaucoma were recruited from clinical research participants. Heart rate, intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion were measured after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) which induces psychosocial stress. The same measurements were taken 1 week later and the recorded measurements were considered as the control group.

Results

Heart rate was elevated significantly after the TSST, indicating psychosocial stress was induced by the TSST. Compared to stress resolution status, intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion were increased after the TSST (p = 0.027, p = 0.011). Elevation of intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion was statistically significant in males (p = 0.031, p = 0.007), but not significant in females (p = 0.336, p = 0.554).

Conclusions

Psychosocial stress can increase intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion.

Keywords: Intraocular pressure, Lacrimal secretion, Psychosocial stress

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Interior design of the stress exposure room (second room).
jkos-53-1304-g001
Figure 2
Mean intraocular pressure and lacrimal secretion before TSST, after TSST and 1 week later.
jkos-53-1304-g002
Figure 3
(A) Correlation analysis of the amounts of heart rate change and the amounts of IOP (Intraocular pressure) change between after TSST and 1 week later (Pearson correlation, p = 0.460, r = -0.120). (B) Correlation analysis of the amounts of heart rate change and the amounts of lacrimal secretion change between after TSST and 1 week later (Pearson correlation, p = 0.375, r = 0.144).
jkos-53-1304-g003
Table 1
Heart rate, Intraocular pressure, amounts of lacrimal secretion depending on absence or presence of stress
jkos-53-1304-i001

Values are presented as mean ± SD.

IOP = intraocular pressure; TSST = Trier Social Stress Test.

*VS. after TSST; †Statistically significant (Paired t-test).

Table 2
Change in heart rate, intraocular pressure, amounts of lacrimal secretion according to sex
jkos-53-1304-i002

Values are presented as mean ± SD.

IOP = intraocular pressure; TSST = Trier Social Stress Test.

*Statistically significant (Wilcoxon signed-rank test).

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