WATER DRINKING TEST: AN OUTDATED MODALITY OR STILL A USEFUL TEST WHILE MANAGING PATIENTS OF GLAUCOMA

Abstract

Objective: To compare the mean rise in intraocular pressure in patients with primary open angle glaucoma following water drinking test, with healthy individuals.

Study Design: Quasé-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology Rawalpindi from September 2011 to March 2012.

Patients and Methods: One hundred and twenty eyes that fulfilled the laid down criteria were enrolled and the intra-ocular pressure was measured before and 45 minutes after the water drinking test (WDT). Difference in IOP before and after WDT was calculated in both cases (of glaucoma) and controls and mean difference in IOP was compared in both the groups. A difference of 6 mm Hg before and after water drinking test was considered significant.

Results: After WDT, IOP was increased significantly in cases as well as the controls but the increase in IOP was significantly higher in cases than the controls.

Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that the comparison of difference between mean baseline intraocular pressure and mean intra-ocular pressure after 45 minutes of water drinking test between cases and controls was statistically significant.