Effect of cold air on aqueous humor dynamics in humans.

ABSTRACT

Several parameters of aqueous humor dynamics were measured in 11 human subjects before and after exposure of one eye to a continuous stream of cold air. In the treated eye, I.O.P. was found to decrease significantly from a mean +/- SD pre-treatment value of 14.1 +/- 2.3 mmHg to a post-treatment value of 12.6 +/- 2.6 mmHg. Episcleral venous pressure was found to decrease significantly from a pre-treatment value of 6.2 +/- 1.3 mm Hg. No significant changes were found in aqueous flow or total outflow facility, indicating that cold air exposure decreased I.O.P. by causing a decrease in episcleral venous pressure.