Regularly monitoring your eye pressure is an important way to help preserve your vision for life. Elevated eye pressure can occur without symptoms and is as dangerous to your eyes as high blood pressure is to your organs. It is often the first sign of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.
Glaucoma is a complex, multifactorial eye disease with specific characteristics such as optic nerve damage and visual field loss. While there is usually an increase in pressure inside the eye (called intraocular pressure), even patients with normal eye pressure can develop glaucoma.
Another cause of elevated eye pressure is an imbalance in the production and drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid inside the eye. Pressure increases as the eye creates new fluid and the channels that normally drain the aqueous humor become blocked or damaged. Once that happens, internal pressure rises and can cause significant damage to the optic nerve.
In many cases, there is no visible damage to the drainage channels; however, the natural drainage system suddenly stops functioning. This system can also be affected by an eye injury (for example, a sports injury or a car accident) that damages these vital drainage channels, triggering a buildup of pressure.
The use of steroids, including steroid eye drops sometimes prescribed after eye surgery, is also linked to elevated pressure within the eye. In addition, ocular hypertension can appear suddenly with the onset of other eye conditions, such as pseudoexfoliation syndrome, an age- and genetically related condition in which small protein fibers accumulate, clump together, and block the free flow of fluid within the eye.
Pigment dispersion syndrome can similarly cause the accumulation of particles that block drainage in the eye. When this condition occurs, pigment granules detach from the iris and obstruct one or more channels.
Who is at greater risk of suffering from ocular hypertension?
You have a higher risk of developing ocular hypertension if you are over 40, have thin corneas, or a family history of glaucoma. African Americans also have a statistically higher risk.
How is eye pressure measured?
Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 12 to 22 mm Hg, and eye pressure above 22 mm Hg is considered higher than normal. When the pressure is higher than normal but the person shows no signs of glaucoma, this is known as ocular hypertension.
What happens when eye pressure is elevated?
High eye pressure alone does not cause glaucoma. However, it is a significant risk factor. People diagnosed with high eye pressure should have regular comprehensive eye exams to check for signs of glaucoma.
Over time, if glaucoma is left untreated, central vision will also decrease and eventually be lost; this is how visual impairment from glaucoma is most often noticed. The good news is that glaucoma can be controlled if detected early, and with medical and/or surgical treatment, most people with glaucoma will not lose their sight.
What can be done to control eye pressure?
Below, we explain the prevention and treatment strategies that we implement at our clinic located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The goal of medical treatment is to reduce pressure before it causes glaucomatous vision loss. Medical treatment is always initiated for those believed to be at higher risk of developing glaucoma and for those with signs of optic nerve damage.
Our specialists' approach is highly individualized. Depending on your specific situation, they may treat you with medication or simply evaluate you periodically.
If you have questions about eye pressure or glaucoma, call us today to schedule an evaluation appointment at Clínica Nivaria. Our dedicated team of experts will guide you through every step, providing specialized solutions and treatment options!
