May 25 2009
Wearing Swim Goggles May Elevate Intraocular Pressure
Researchers at the University of Western Australia recently examined the effects of wearing swimming goggles upon intraocular pressure (IOP).
In this study, holes were drilled into the faces of 13 different goggles to allow IOP measurement by applanation tonometry. IOP was measured before goggles wear, two minutes after goggles application, twenty minutes after goggles application, and after goggles removal. Multiple types of goggles were tested.
IOP increased while wearing goggles by a mean pressure of 4.5 mm Hg with this pressure rise being sustained for the duration of goggles wear. Swim goggles with a smaller face area were consistently associated with greater IOP elevation.
Although these measurements were not taken while swimming, study authors suggest that some swimming goggles can elevate IOP. The full article can be read in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
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SOURCE: “Wearing swimming goggles can elevate intraocular pressure”, Morgan, et al, Br J Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;92(9):1218-21.
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