Intraocular Pressure in Children

In children, intraocular pressure (IOP) normally ranges between 12 and 22 mmHg. Accurate measurement of IOP is necessary for diagnosing and monitoring pediatric ocular hypertension/glaucoma. However, obtaining reliable measurements in children can be challenging due to difficulties with proper positioning and the potential need for anesthesia. Applanation tonometry is the gold standard for IOP assessment, but several other methods, including Tono-Pen, ocular response analyzer, dynamic contour tonometer, and rebound tonometry, are also valuable options for measuring IOP in children. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, and agreement analyses have been conducted comparing these techniques. Factors influencing pediatric IOP measurements include age, corneal thickness, the presence of glaucoma or other ocular diseases, the type of anesthesia used, and relative intraoperative positioning. Additionally, the recent advent of home tonometry has provided a reliable, well-tolerated method for assessing IOP. This approach allows for capturing diurnal and out-of-office fluctuations in IOP, which can significantly enhance the management and post-surgical care of childhood glaucoma patients.