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Relationship between Body Mass Index, Intraocular Pressure, Blood Pressure and Age in Nigerian Population

Gladys Ovigue George and Olajire Bosede Ajayi

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP), and age in a defined Nigerian population.

Methods: Seven hundred and eighty seven (787) healthy Subjects selected from a screening exercise, comprising 296 males and 491 females aged between 11-50 (mean age of 35.85 ± 8.67 and 29.29 ± 12.11) years for males and females respectively; were divided into four groups according to their age: Group A aged 11-20 years comprised 164 (20.8%) Subjects; Group B aged 21-30 years comprised 197 (25.0%) Subjects; Group C aged 31-40 years comprised 276 (35.0%) Subjects; while Group D aged 41-50 years comprised 150 (19.2%) Subjects. The study was carried out at the University of Benin Optometry Outpatient Clinic, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. IOP and BP of each Subject was determined by the mean value of three successive readings, using the Kowa HA-2-handheld applanation tonometer (made in Japan, model No-MK2), U-MEC mercurial sphygmomanometer and Sprague stethoscope (Model No 112) respectively; between 9 and 11 a.m. Height and weight of each Subject were measured with the Subject wearing a light weight clinic gown in a standing position without shoes. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared.

Results: The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation relationship (p<0.001) between BMI and intra-ocular pressure, BMI and blood pressure and BMI and age in the overweight and obese population.

Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are independent risk factors for increase in blood pressure and intraocular pressure which may result in systemic hypertension and glaucoma in the aging Nigerian population.