The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Intra-ocular Pressure in Port Harcourt Nigeria

Background: There are conflicting reports regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and intraocular pressure (IOP). There is a need to evaluate these contradicting findings in our environment. Aim: To examine the relationship between intraocular pressure and body mass index (BMI) in a population screened for glaucoma at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria Materials and Method: This study was part of a one-day screening exercise for glaucoma at the University of Port Harcourt. All subjects participated with willful consent. Demographic data included age, sex, race and occupation. Height was measured with a wall-mounted tape and weight with a bathroom scale. Intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins hand-held applanation tonometer and funduscopy was carried out with a direct ophthalmoscope. BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (Weight/Height2). Results: A total of 491 subjects were screened. There were 230 males (46.8%) and 261 females (53.2%). About 50% (n=246/491) of the participants had normal BMI, 28.7%(n=141) were overweight while 17.7%(n=87) were obese. The mean BMI was 25.39 ± 4.82. Most obese participants were females (n= 63/87; 72.4%) while most males had normal body weight (n=131; 53.2%). The relationship between BMI and gender was statistically significant (P=0.00). The mean intraocular pressure of all participants was 16.21±5.01mmHg. Most overweight (88.6%; n=241/272) and obese persons (n=149; 87.6%) had normal IOP. There was however no statistically significant relationship between BMI and IOP (P=0.473; r2 =0.02). Conclusion: In a population screened for glaucoma at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, we found no statistically significant relationship between BMI and intraocular pressure but there was a statistically significant relationship between BMI and age.