Effects of a Single OMT on Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in Ocular Hypertenive or Glaucoma Suspect Subjects

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States and the world. Approximately 2.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Based on pilot studies and the clinical experience of the PI, a power analysis indicated that in order to lower IOP by 4 mm Hg 28 subjects would be needed, 14 in the experimental group and 14 in the control/comparator group. The intervention is OMT. Based on the anatomy of the eye and the dysfunctions underlying primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the presumed mechanisms are one or the other or a combination of the following. 1) Anatomic: the OMT benefit may occur by the biomechanical restoration of drainage through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. 2) Neurologic: the OMT may affect the parasympathetic innervations from the Edinger-Westphal fibers via the cranial nerve III as well as the sympathetic innervations arising in the T1 to T3 levels then via the superior cervical ganglion which then course to the eye. The OMT protocol takes 25-27 minutes to administer and addresses cranial, cervical, upper body, spinal and sacral structures designed to affect the anatomic, physiologic processes (e.g. lymphatic drainage from the neck and face), neurologic structures (sympathic and parasympathetic) affecting visual processes. A very similar OMT protocol was used in a study on healthy elder and resulted in improved balance and equilibrium. In that study there were no adverse outcomes reported. The control/comparator subjects will lay on the OMT table for the same 25-27 minutes in the same time periods in which experimental subjects were in the prone, lateral recumbent, and supine positions.