Obesity, Blood Pressure, and Intraocular Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italian Children

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Several studies in the adult population have shown that obesity is an independent risk factor for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), whereas data in the paediatric population are sparse and controversial. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and IOP in healthy school children. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The survey was conducted among a random sample of 8-year-old Italian students. Data were collected on their health status and behaviours related to obesity (physical activity, food and drinking habits, etc.). Physical examinations, conducted at school, included measurements of height, weight, BP, and IOP. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five hundred and seventy-six subjects were recruited (92.8% response rate); 42.4% were overweight or obese, 58.9% consumed inadequate daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and 87.5% were involved in sedentary activities. Elevated BP/hypertension (HTN) affected 3.6% and high IOP was revealed in 12.5% of the children. In the multivariate analysis, elevated BP/HTN was the only significant determinant of ocular HTN (OR 5.36, 95% CI 1.95–14.73, <i>p</i> = 0.001). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results show that high IOP affects 12.5% of 8-year-old school children and appears to be associated with high BP related to a high BMI.

Poor Uncorrected Visual Acuity and Association With Sleep Duration and Screen Time: A Dose–Response Relationship Study

“…The results of our study was consistent with other researches in terms of outdoor activities, 43 near work activities, 44 and obesity. 45 Further implications can be drawn from our findings, as follows.…”

“…The results of our study was consistent with other researches in terms of outdoor activities, 43 near work activities, 44 and obesity. 45 Further implications can be drawn from our findings, as follows. Screen time was believed to be one of the primary causes for the increasing of the prevalence of poor uncorrected visual acuity, which was consistent with previous study.…”

Mendelian randomization study updates the effect of hypertension on the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma

“…In the current two-sample MR study, we found that hypertension increased the risk of POAG, which was consistent with some previous ndings. Hypertension increases the capillary pressure in the ciliary body, which in turn leads to increased IOP [32][33][34]. Hypertension also induces atherosclerosis and impairs vascular autoregulation, thereby reducing blood ow in the eyes, which causes nerve ber damage and RGC loss in the long-term [35].…”

Greenness Surrounding Schools and Visual Impairment in Chinese Children and Adolescents

“…A study in Italian children reported that elevated blood pressure was a significant determinant of ocular hypertension, which is involved in the initiation and development of myopia (Pileggi et al 2021). Evidence also indicates that psychological stress could lead to myopia by causing tension of the tissues and muscles around the eyes, altering the shape of the eyeball (Sabel et al 2018).…”