Postural modification has been proposed as a non-pharmacological adjunct for intraocular pressure (IOP) management, as IOP is known to fluctuate with changes in body posture. However, its clinical relevance remains uncertain. To examine this, a study compared the effects of sleeping in a high-pillow position with the supine position in 144 patients with glaucoma. The high-pillow position was associated with greater 24-hour IOP fluctuation and reduced ocular perfusion pressure (OPP).
Larger postural IOP changes were observed in younger patients and those with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). In a separate group of healthy volunteers, ultrasonography demonstrated significant narrowing of both internal and external jugular veins in the high-pillow position, along with increased maximum blood flow velocity in the internal jugular vein. These findings indicate that the high-pillow…
