Ocular hypertension is a medical condition characterized by elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). Elevated eye pressure levels may increase your chances of developing glaucoma.
Elevated eye pressure should be monitored carefully by an experienced ophthalmologist. While ocular hypertension does not guarantee that you’ll develop glaucoma, elevated eye pressure is considered a serious risk factor for glaucoma. Read on as Dr. Edward Hedaya of InVision Eye Care explains why it is so important to keep tabs on your intraocular pressure.
What Causes Elevated Eye Pressure?
Ocular hypertension is caused by a buildup of fluid inside the eye. This can occur as a result of:
- Poor or insufficient aqueous drainage
- Excessive production of aqueous humor (the fluid inside the eye)
- Age (over the age of 40, in particular)
- Thin corneas
- A history of high blood pressure or diabetes
What Are the Symptoms of Elevated Eye Pressure?
Most individuals with ocular hypertension do not experience symptoms. Elevated eye pressure alone typically does not result in vision loss or visible damage to the optical nerve.
Unfortunately, this means that ocular hypertension often goes undiagnosed. Regular visits to an experienced ophthalmologist are crucial for this reason — your eyecare professional will carefully monitor your eyes for any signs of elevated eye pressure.
How Does Ocular Hypertension Lead to Glaucoma?
Anyone diagnosed with ocular hypertension is at an elevated risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma — a medical condition defined by damage to the optic nerve — is most often the result of elevated eye pressure. As the condition worsens, permanent vision loss may result.
Over time, ocular hypertension may cause damage to the optic nerve. When this occurs (even if vision remains unimpaired) a diagnosis of early-stage glaucoma will likely be the outcome.
What Can I Do About It?
Thankfully, ocular hypertension alone is not a sure-fire sign that you will develop glaucoma. Professional intervention works best earlier rather than later. Once your ophthalmologist discovers your ocular hypertension, he or she will prescribe a treatment plan designed to reduce your eye pressure to a healthy level.
The most common form of treatment for ocular hypertension is medicated eye drops. These eye drops will reduce your intraocular pressure by reducing the amount of fluid your eyes produce or improving the way fluid exits your eyes. If your doctor finds that your eye pressure is still above normal levels, he or she may recommend glaucoma surgery.
Prevention Is the Best Medicine – Contact Us Today!
Ocular hypertension and glaucoma are both potentially serious conditions, but quality preventive care is the best possible approach. With locations in both Lakewood and Eatontown, InVision Eye Care is ready to help you protect your vision with our expert care, experience, and state-of-the-art ocular surgery technology.
To learn more about ocular hypertension, call or email the team at InVision Eye Care to schedule an appointment with any of our talented doctors.