SEXUAL AROUSAL AND INTRAOCULAR PRESSUREDr. Carolina Valdivia answers a question from a man who wants to know about the affect of sexual arousal on intraocular pressure.  A male reader from India writes:Will there be any elevation in the eye pressure after having strenuous acts like normal sex or masturbation in the previous night? Do common ailments like swollen gums or a tooth affect eye pressure?
Researchers Dorothy Friedberg and Laura Fox published an article describing three female patients with
primary angle-closure glaucoma
that reported experiencing blurred vision during sexual arousal. In these patients there may have been an intermittent closure of the anterior chamber angle and therefore a temporary increase in
intraocular pressure.
I want to emphasize that blurred vision during sexual arousal is by no means experienced by everyone diagnosed with primary angle-closure glaucoma. However, for those patients that do experience this phenomenon, significant improvement can be achieved with the completion of a peripheral iridotomy. This is a surgical procedure in which a small opening is created in the periphery of the iris, which provides an alternate channel for aqueous humor drainage from the eye and lowers intraocular pressure. Another factor that can contribute to elevated intraocular pressure in those diagnosed with primary angle-closure glaucoma, or who at risk for developing it, is that romantic encounters that lead to making love and orgasm often occur under dim light conditions. In this case, pupillary dilation in response to the dim light can combine with the temporary mydriasis that occurs during sexual arousal to predispose a person with already narrow anterior chamber angles to a condition known as a pupillary block and angle closure. Pupillary block is a medical emergency, as it results in rapid and very high increases in intraocular pressure.Stressful situations also can produce a physiological mydriasis. Additionally, certain classes of medications can produce a pharmocologic mydriasis. Among these are anti-depressants, such as amitriptyline and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) [e.g. fluoxatine, citalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline]. Anti-allergic medications also can produce pharmacologic mydriasis. A person with narrow anterior chamber angles should consult with their ophthalmologist regarding the use of medications, including over-the-counter medications, and about modifications in daily activities to help reduce the occurrence of pupillary mydriasis. With respect to your inquiry about swollen gums or tooth pain, these by themselves will not directly cause an increase in intraocular pressure. However, recall that any stress-producing situation, whether it be emotional, illness, or physical pain, that provokes distress or anxiety can cause mydriasis. This increases the likelihood of elevated intraocular pressure in eyes that are predisposed to angle closure. Medications containing corticosteroids often are used to control inflammation. In some people, corticosteroids can cause intraocular pressure to elevate, particularly if they are used for extended periods. This can lead to a condition known as
drug-induced glaucoma
Finally, a longstanding myth exists in many cultures that masturbation causes blindness. Let me clear this up right now. There is no documented scientific evidence to support any connection between masturbation and loss of sight. Instead, it is a ploy used by adults to scare children into abstaining from sexual auto-stimulation. There should be no shame or guilt in masturbation. It is a normal choice for achieving sexual pleasure and release that is made by approximately 95% of males and 75% of females. Carolina Valdivia, MD
REFERENCES:Friedberg DN Fox LE. Blurred vision during sexual arousal associated with narrow-angle glaucoma. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 1999;128(5): 647-648.
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Return from Sexual Arousal to Answer My Health Question
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Thank you for your interest in glaucoma-eye-info.com. You have asked a very interesting question.