Ocular hypertension occurs when the pressure in your eye, called intraocular pressure, is high. An intraocular pressure of between 11 and 21 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is considered normal. Whereas a person is said to have intraocular hypertension when the intraocular pressure is consistently elevated above 21 mmHg and there’s an absence of clinical signs of glaucoma. This can impact one or both eyes.
At that, eye specialists came up with another term to refer to a person with ocular hypertension as a “glaucoma suspect,” or someone whom the eye doctor is concerned may have or may develop glaucoma because of elevated pressure inside the eyes. And upon pinpointing these, optometrists have also pointed out facts about ocular hypertension to put you at ease!
The front of your eye contains a fluid called aqueous humour. It functions to hydrate the tissues in your eye area and helps keep the shape of your eye. A drainage angle is required because your eyes continuously produce aqueous humour. By limiting the accumulation of aqueous humour, this drainage system aids in maintaining eye pressure. When it’s not drained properly, it begins to accumulate. Thus increasing the pressure within the eye can lead to ocular hypertension.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Ocular hypertension has no obvious symptoms or indicators. Eye movement or touch may hurt if the pressure is abnormally high. This is one of the reasons why regular eye exams are so important. One of the tests your eye doctor will conduct during a standard eye checkup is measuring your eye pressure.
However, your eye doctor uses a simple test to measure intraocular pressure. They may do relevant tests including tonometry tests and dilated fundus examinations using slit-lamp biomicroscopy to look for any glaucoma symptoms. This can include examining the optic nerve and also checking your peripheral vision.
How To Treat Ocular Hypertension?
Eyedrops
Mainly, prescription eye drops are used to treat ocular hypertension because they can either help aqueous humour drain from your eye or reduce how much aqueous humour your eye produces.
It’s likely that your eye doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment a few weeks later to see how the eye drops are working.
It’s also important to follow up with your eye doctor every one to two years for an eye exam because ocular hypertension raises the chance of developing glaucoma.
Surgery for ocular hypertension
Eye drop treatments for ocular hypertension may not work effectively for everyone. Surgery might be the next best suggestion in this situation to help decrease intraocular pressure.
Ocular hypertensive patients also have the option of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). By enabling more fluid evacuation, the technique lowers trusted source ocular pressure. Typically, there is little discomfort and little downtime.
SLT has a 30% reduction in eye pressure, which is comparable to the effects of the strongest drugs. The procedure’s results last for at least one to five years. Repeated surgeries are possible, yet they are frequently less successful than the first procedure.
It is possible for patients to undergo both surgeries as well as medical treatment.
The Final Decision
The aim of our vision care practice is to provide the best possible eye care and treatment available, while still being compassionate, understanding and caring. Your age should not be a form of discrimination towards your vision! The doctors and staff at VISTA Eye Clinic are dedicated to giving each patient the individualized attention they deserve. Our mission is to enhance your sight so that you can live your life without any limitations!
