Intraocular pressure changes in breastfeeding

ABSTRACT

To determine changes in intraocular pressure before and after breastfeeding, 21 lactating mothers, aged 20 - 36 (mean age = 28), who delivered vaginally without complications, were studied.After instillation of topical anesthetics, the Tonopen was used to take the intraocular pressure (IOP) in millimeters Mercury (mm Hg) 1 hour prior to and immediately after breast-feeding.Three pressure readings were recorded and averaged in each determination.Using the paired T-test, a post-lactation increase in IOP of 0.6 +_ 3.1 mm Hg;(p=0.412) was noted on the right eye;an IOP increased of 2.3+_ 3.7 mm Hg;(p=0.010) was noted on the left eye.