Effect of Decaffeinated Coffee on the Intraocular Pressure of Young Adults

Decaffeination is the process of separating or reducing caffeine from the coffee beans, cocoa, tea leaves and other caffeine-containing materials in which it is naturally found. Decaffeinated coffee is the final product that emerges when a coffee bean has gone through a process to lessen the caffeine. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of decaffeinated coffee on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of young adults. One hundred and three subjects aged between 18 and 29 were used for this study. The mean age and weight (±S.D) of the subjects were 21.33±2.75 and 66.53±10.67 kg respectively. All the subjects had a body mass index (BMI) of within 20 to 25. Before ingestion of decaffeinated coffee, the mean IOP was 13.02±1.99 mmHg. After ingestion of decaffeinated coffee, the mean IOP became 12.02±2.01 mmHg. Statistical analysis using the SPSS statistical software with the Paired T-test at 95% confidence interval and 0.05 level of significance showed a significant effect of decaffeinated (P<0.05) on the intraocular pressure. Results obtained from this study though statistically significant, may not be clinically significant for therapeutic purposes. Decaffeinated coffee is however a welcomed alternative to regular coffee containing caffeine for young people with and at risk of developing glaucoma.