by Administrator
29. March 2010 08:35
The pressure in your eye is known as intraocular pressure (IOP). If it is higher than normal levels, you may be suffering from ocular hypertension. Usually, doctors consider high eye pressure as a symptom of Glaucoma. Even though ocular hypertension does not hamper vision, it may lead to serious problems that cause optic nerve damage or vision loss.
Many patients detected with ocular hypertension do not feel any prior signs or symptoms. In fact, there are no outward problems like redness of eyes, blurring of vision or pain. The only way to find out if you have this ailment is to get your IOP measured during regular eye examination.
While ocular hypertension may happen to any person, it is most common among:
- Diabetic patients
- People over 40 years of age
- African-Americans
- Family history of ocular hypertension
- People with nearsightedness
If your eye pressure exceeds 21 mmHg (mercury millimetres), it is considered high eye pressure or ocular hypertension. There may be an increase in IOP due to too much fluid generation or lack of drainage in the eye. Moreover, personal trauma and strong medications may also lead to high IOP. When high eye pressure is not treated within reasonable time, it may increase and damage the optic nerve inside the eye. This causes a major eye disease, known as glaucoma.
Patients of ocular hypertension must take proper treatment to avoid glaucoma or other serious eye troubles. Ask your doctor about the right medication for reducing your IOP level. During the course of treatment, your doctor will monitor the IOP levels and check whether it is normalized. By taking the recommended steps for curing ocular hypertension, you can save yourself from the dangers of glaucoma and retain the health and vision of your eyes.
Killeen Eyecare Center provides complete eyecare solutions and serves Killeen, Fort Hood and Harker Heights in Texas.
Eye Doctor Killeen - Optometrist Fort Hood