Background. Despite the development of various methods of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is still the most popular. The measurement using GAT depends on the biomechanical properties of the cornea, such as the thickness, the radius of curvature, as well as the amount of the fluorescein used.

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Purpose The aim of the research was to evaluate correlation between translaminar pressure difference (TLPD) and optic nerve head (ONH) morphology parameters: lamina cribrosa sclerae depth (LCD) and optic nerve cupping (ONC). Methods Study included 42 eyes of 25 patients qualified to undergo lumbar puncture (LP) due to neurological circumstances. LCD, ONC and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured 1–3 h prior to LP during ophthalmic examination. IOP was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry. ONH morphology parameters: LCD and ONC were assessed using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI‐OCT). CSFP was measured during lumbar puncture. TLPD was calculated as a difference between IOP (mmHg) and CSFP (mmHg). Results 20 female eyes and 22 male eyes were included in the study. Mean age of female subjects was 44.1 ± 18.00 while the mean age of male subjects was 54.73 ± 13.57. LCD was revealed to be significantly deeper in male population (mean 365.83 μm vs. 296.07 μm). Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between LCD and TLPD (p < 0.0001, R = 0.78) and between LCD and ONC (p < 0.0001, R = 0.71). Conclusions There is a strong positive correlation between TLPD and ONH morphology parameters. LCD and ONC should therefore be viewed as a resultant of two pressure compartments: IOP and CSFP. Intraocular pressure is since many years a confirmed modifiable risk factor for development and progression of glaucomatous neuropathy. CSFP was also proved to be significantly lower among primary open angle glaucoma subjects. In future LCD and ONC as a resultant of TLPD could therefore play a role in assessing the risk of glaucomatous neuropathy progression. According to significant correlation between TLPD and ONH morphology parameters, combined LCD and IOP measurement could moreover play a role as a non‐invasive CSFP assessment tool.

PurposeTo inform application users about current air pollution and their ocular surface state. To gather data concerning correlation between air pollution and ocular surface diseases.MethodsAirPoll is a mobile application that serves as a gateway to a nation‐wide air pollution study. We designed it using Apple's Research Kit – an open source software framework for medical researchers. After all the permissions are granted and consent form is signed digitally, the application uses phone's Global Positioning System to determine user's location and then connects to the server of US Environmental Protection Agency to determine the level of various air pollutants. The built in questionnaire module allows us to gather data related to user's health, including past medical history and OSDI Dry Eye questionnaire. To raise user's engagement in the study and provide an information feedback, every user has access to his or her data presented in an easy to understand manner. Both current pollutants in the user's location and his approximate health state are displayed in a simple graph form.ResultsData concerning current air pollutants levels basing on geolocation of the application user (including particulate matter with a mean aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm and 10 μm, ozone, sulfur oxides and volatile organic compounds) and results concerning ocular surface obtained using OSDI Dry Eye questionnaire.ConclusionsThis innovative approach to sharing information in medical research not only raises user's involvement in the study, but also fulfils an educational purpose.