In normal physiological condition, fluids enter the eyeball to supply nourishment and maintain the shape of the eye. Eye pressure, also called intraocular pressure or IOP, is a measurement of the fluid pressure inside the eye. Ocular hypertension is a condition wherein the internal pressure of the eye becomes higher than the normal. With ocular hypertension, the front of the eye does not drain fluid properly and a dysfunctional eye drainage system causes fluid to build up. The normal range of intraocular pressure is between 11 and 21 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Intraocular hypertension occurs when:
- A person’s intraocular pressure is consistently elevated above 21 mmHg
- There is an absence of clinical signs of glaucoma (e.g., optic nerve damage or a reduced field of vision)
A chronically elevated intraocular pressure (>21 mmHg) increases the risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disorder where persistently high eye pressure damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss. Ocular hypertension is not the same as glaucoma, as unlike glaucoma, ocular hypertension is typically asymptomatic and not directly related to optic nerve damage and vision loss. Scientific findings indicate that approximately 10% of people with untreated ocular hypertension go on to develop primary open angle glaucoma within 5 years.
Risk Factors
Risk factors that may increase one’s susceptibility to ocular hypertension include the following, provided by Healthline:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- A family history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma
- Are over the age of 40
- Have had eye surgery or an eye injury in the past
- Have taken long-term steroid medications
- Have certain eye conditions (e.g., nearsightedness, pigment dispersion syndrome, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome)
Still, it is important to note that anyone can develop ocular hypertension and treating increased pressure within the eye is crucial to prevent damage and vision loss.
Treatment
To check for ocular hypertension an ophthalmologist will conduct a tonometry which is a simple test that measures intraocular pressure using an instrument called a tonometer. An eye doctor may also examine the optic nerve, peripheral vision, and inner structures of the eyes to assess overall eye health. The treatment for ocular hypertension will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In situations where the pressure increase is minimal, regular monitoring may be sufficient. Additional treatment protocols for ocular hypertension may include topical eye medication and/ or laser treatments. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a procedure that decreases eye pressure by allowing for greater fluid drainage. Prescription eye drops can help by limiting the production of fluids and/ or helping to drain excess fluid which diminishes pressure in the eye, reducing the chances of developing glaucoma by 50%.
Treatment In Calabasas
Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.
The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.
