Purpose. Glaucoma is associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) andwith obesity, the precise etiology remains unclear. Aim: to determine thepotential causality between the volume of retrobulbar adipose tissue (RAT) andthe level of IOP in obese (O) subjects compared with non-obese (N).

Methods. 100 subjects allocated according to BMI, into normal weight (n=50)and obese (n=50) categories. Anthropometric measurements and measurementof IOP, as well as MRI of the head at the level of the optic nerve, and derivedRAT, were undertaken on all subjects.

Results. Obese subjects, as compared with normal weight, had a significantlyhigher mean RAT volume (p<0.001) and IOP (p<0.001). IOP correlates positivelywith RAT volume (r=0.37).

Conclusion. In obese people, elevated IOP may be caused by changes in ocularblood flow, effected by the physical pressure exerted by higher retrobulbaradipose tissue volume and/or by internal vascular changes secondary tocomplications of obesity. These findings indicate a need for more frequentmeasurement of IOP in obese individuals, in order to earlier detect glaucoma.

r= 0.37

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Fig. 1. Initial MRI scan Fig. 2. Edited initial MRI scan

Fig. 3. Final image – clearly visible retrobulbar adipose tisse

Fig.4 & 5. Mean values of RAT volume and IOP in normal weight and obese subjects

Fig. 6. In obese subjects with the increase of RAT volume IOP increases

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3RETROBULBAR ADIPOSE TISSUE AND INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

IN OBESITY

Oliver Stojanov, Edita Stokic, Olivera Sveljo, Nada NaumovicDept. of Ophthalmology, Health Center “Novi Sad”, Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia