Eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), is the fluid pressure inside the eye.
Verywell / Daniel Fishel
What is Normal Eye Pressure?
Pressure from aqueous humor fluid drains from the eye and new fluid replaces it as needed.
Verywell / Daniel Fishel
It creates a homeostatic balance that regulates eye pressure.
IOP is not a fixed number but fluctuates in a person but also from person to person.
It is impossible to compare your IOP to someone else.
Undergoingroutine eye examsis crucial to your eye health.
This includes a full examination includingtonometry, the diagnostic test for measuring IOP.
Some individual fluctuations are normal but also can be a sign of worsening progressive eye disease.
Abnormal intraocular eye pressure can be indicative of a serious eye problem.
Ocular hypertension(increased IOP) can be a warning sign of progressive glaucoma and possibly blindness.
How Is It Measured?
The most common pop in of tonometry test is called the Goldmann applanation tonometry test.
Other non-contact methods include Tono-Pen and iCare tonometry, which are performed with handheld instruments.
Interestingly, there is no single correct eye pressure as each individual’s eye pressure is different.
That being said, it does not cause glaucoma but is a significant risk factor.
Over time, high pressure causes the nerve fibers in the retina to die, resulting in decreased vision.
Significant vision loss and blindness are extremely common if glaucoma is left untreated.
Furthermore, any damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed with medications or by lowering the eye pressure.
Treatment for Eye Pressure
Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options are available to help lower and normalize eye pressure.
All treatment options are determined by your healthcare provider after a comprehensive eye exam and health history.
Medications
Medications used to normalize eye pressure have side effects and interact with other medications.
These medications are usually carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide and methazolamide.
This laser treatment helps fluid drain more easily from the front part of the eye, which lowers IOP.
The effects of SLT can last between one to five years, or more.
Surgery
Glaucoma surgeryis also a common option for these patients.
This option helps normalize IOP but does not prevent it from rising again.
Other options include iDose TR (travoprost).
The iDose TR is a surgical implant that continuously releases medication.
Complementary therapies should never be used in the replacement of prescribed medications.
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