The effects of delivery type and gender on intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness in newborns

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in newborns during the first 12 h of life. Methods: Forty-three newborns born by vaginal delivery (VD) and 30 newborns born by cesarean section (CS) were evaluated. IOP and CCT were measured using Tono-Pen and handheld pachymeter, respectively, at both the 5th minute after delivery and at the 12th h of life. Results: The mean IOP for the VD group was significantly higher than that of the CS group at both the 5th minute and 12th h (p =0.042 and p =0.018, respectively). In both groups, the IOP decreased by the 12th h, but the decrease was only significant for the CS group (p =0.020). The decrease in CCT over the 12 h was significant for both groups (p