Relationship between Corneal Temperature and Intraocular Pressure in Healthy Individuals: A Clinical Thermographic Analysis

Purpose. To study the geographical distribution of corneal temperature (CT) and its influence on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of healthy human volunteers. Materials and Methods. Fifteen subjects (7 M, 8 F), 33.8 ± 17.4 years old, were enrolled in this pilot, cross-sectional study. Measurements of CT were taken after one hour with closed eyelids (CET) or closed eyelids with a cooling mask (cm-CET) and compared to baseline. Results. If compared to baseline, after CET, average CT significantly increased by 0.56°C in the RE and by 0.48°C in the LE ( p < 0.001 ) and IOP concomitantly significantly increased by 1.13 mmHg and 1.46 mmHg, respectively, in each eye ( p < 0.001 ). After cm-CET, average CT significantly decreased by 0.11°C and 0.20°C, respectively, in the RE and LE (RE p = 0.04 ; LE p = 0.024 ), followed by a significant IOP decrease of 2.19 mmHg and 1.54 mmHg, respectively, in each eye (RE p < 0.001 ; LE p = 0.0019 ). Conclusion. Significant variations of CT occurred after CET and cm-CET and were directly correlated with significant differences of IOP. It can be speculated that both oxidative stress and sympathetic nerve fiber stimulation by temperature oscillations may affect the regulation of AH vortex flow and turnover, thus influencing IOP values.