Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the influence of long waiting time on intraocular pressure (IOP) with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients in the waiting room of an ophthalmology clinic.
Patients and Method: We reviewed 74 consecutive patients with POAG who visited at Kaimeido Ophthalmic and Dental Clinic within the past 8 years without change of glaucoma medications, 34 men and 40 woman, average age (±standard deviation) 67.9±13.4 years. Right eye data of all patients were enrolled and IOP was split into 4 groups, short waiting time (<30min; SH30) and long waiting time (≥60 min; LH60) in the hot (≥15°C) season. Short waiting time (SC30) and long waiting time (LC60) in the cold (≤5°C) season; according to the average outdoor air temperature in Sapporo Japan. All groups were compared each other (paired t test).
Results: There was a significant difference between SH30 (14.6±2.4 mmHg) and LH60 (14.9±2.4 mmHg; p=0.038), between SC30 (14.6±2.4 mmHg) and LC60 (15.5±2.6 mmHg; p=3.45×10^-7) and between LH60 and LC60 (p=0.00079). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between SH30 and SC30 (p=0.89).
Conclusion: This retrospective study suggests that patients with POAG show a transient IOP elevation after longer waiting time, especially during the cold season.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 118: 508-514, 2014.