Glaucoma is a 24/7 disease

Abstract

IOP is typically measured while sitting during office hours by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). A patient with glaucoma may have two to six IOP measurements by GAT over the course of a year as part of follow-up or to determine response to treatment. As the magnitude of IOP measurements may not differ much, a patient may have the impression that IOP is a static value not prone to significant fluctuations. Instead, IOP is a dynamic physiologic value which at least follows a circadian (24-h) pattern. Short-term fluctuations in IOP are typical within a 24-h (24H) period. These changes in IOP may be important in the diagnosis and management of a patient with glaucoma. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.