If you have ocular hypertension, the pressure inside your eye is above normal.
Pressure builds because the eye’s fluid, known as the aqueous humor, doesn’t drain properly.
However, this may not be problematic until it is below 5 mm Hg.
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Increased ocular pressure can eventually damage the ocular nerve.
Your ophthalmologist or optometrist (eye specialists) will perform atonometrytest to determine if you have elevated eye pressure.
In most cases, a technique known as applanation is used.
Stay relaxed to get an accurate reading.
Other methods of tonometry include theair puff test (noncontact tonometry), iCare rebound tonometry, or TonoPen.
These may be used as screening tests.
Treatment to Reduce Eye Pressure
Lowering eye pressure is important to help protect the optic nerve.
Medications applied as eye drops can work in two different ways.
The first is to make it easier for fluid to move through the eye.
With glaucoma comes the risk of damage to the ocular nerve and related vision loss.
The first clue that something is amiss can be the development of a permanent blind spot.
Complications can include:
If these symptoms are not immediately treated, they can lead to sudden blindness.
If you suspect you have this condition, it should be immediately checked.
Can you Reverse Eye Hypertension?
It’s important to monitor your eye pressure regularly by visiting your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
They can help ensure your treatment is still effective.
Even if you are not receiving treatment, see them as often as they recommend.
It should immediately be checked out.
Summary
It is possible to have ocular hypertension and not know that you have it.
With this condition, the eye pressure is raised but has not yet affected the ocular nerve.
It is essential to get regular checkups to ensure your eye pressure is not too high.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is ocular hypertension?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye pressure.
National Eye Institute.Glaucoma and eye pressure.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is glaucoma?
Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment.
BrightFocus Foundation.The glaucoma eye exam.
National Eye Institute.Glaucoma medicines.
Glaucoma Research Foundation.Symptoms of glaucoma.
