to describe the mean and normal range of intraocular pressure ( IOP ) and its association in healthy Iranian school children using the noncontact tonometer.

In a cross-sectional survey as a part of the Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study ( SPES ) stratified random sampling was done in elementary school –aged children of Shiraz, Iran. Basic demographics and socioeconomic status of household, as well as the past medical history, drug history and eye health history of each eligible student were collected. The children underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Axial length, corneal curvature and anterior chamber depth were measured using the IOL-Master 500.

Out of eligible 2001 children, 1901(95.0%) with a mean age of 9.1±1.6 years (range: 6-12 years) participated. Mean spherical refractive error was 0.54 ± 1.3 D and 0.57± 1.20 for the right and left eyes, respectively. The mean IOP of the right eyes was 15.08 ±2.5 mm Hg (median, 15.0; range, 8.0 to 27 mm Hg), and the mean IOP of the left eyes was 15.2±2.5 mmHg (median, 15.0; range, 9.0 to 28 mm Hg). In multivariate analysis mean IOP was significantly lower among asthmatic children (PV=0.007). The IOP was highest in myopes and lowest among hyperopic participants, and IOPs in these two groups were significantly different from that in emmetropes (PV= 0.005)

This study provides useful normative IOP data using the noncontact tonometer for healthy Iranian school age children.