What is ocular hypertension?
Ocular hypertension occurs when the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) is higher than normal. This pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is considered normal when it is less than 21mm Hg. It should be noted that intraocular pressure increases with age.
Ocular hypertension and glaucoma are not the same, although they are also caused by high intraocular pressure. In people with ocular hypertension, the optic nerve is apparently normal, with no signs of glaucoma when examined with lateral (peripheral) vision. However, patients with ocular hypertension are suspicious for glaucoma and should be evaluated to rule it out.
What are the symptoms?
Ocular hypertension does not manifest itself with any specific symptoms, which makes it impossible for a patient to detect it. The only way to diagnose ocular hypertension is through an eye examination, in which the ophthalmologist will use a tonometer to measure ocular pressure. If it is elevated on two occasions, ocular hypertension is probably diagnosed.
Causes of ocular hypertension or why it occurs
The main cause of ocular hypertension is insufficient drainage of the aqueous humor. This means that too much fluid enters the eye and fails to drain, resulting in increased pressure inside the eye.
Other obvious causes are a family history of ocular hypertension, people with myopia or people suffering from diabetes.
Can it be prevented?
The only way to prevent ocular hypertension is to have routine check-ups with the ophthalmologist, who will evaluate all the necessary ocular parameters.
What does the treatment consist of?
Early diagnosis is very important so that ocular hypertension does not cause optic nerve damage or vision loss. Depending on how high the pressure is, the ophthalmologist may not treat it immediately, but may perform frequent examinations to control the pressure.
Instead, if the ophthalmologist recommends it, he or she will prescribe medications to reduce intraocular pressure, such as drops. Strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions is essential for the treatment to work.