Ocular hypertension is high pressure inside the eye. It's not a disease but rather the cause of other eye conditions, including glaucoma.
Ocular hypertension can't be cured, but some treatments can help manage it and reduce your risk of developing vision-threatening diseases such as glaucoma or retinal detachment.
Signs and Symptoms
There are no specific symptoms of ocular hypertension. In some people, it can lead to glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss.
Causes
- Elevated intraocular pressure (glaucoma) is the most common cause of ocular hypertension. In this disease, fluid builds up within your eye, increasing pressure in and around your eyeball.
- Genetic predisposition is another major cause. As with many other conditions, genetics plays a role in ocular hypertension as well. If one or both of your parents had glaucoma when they were middle-aged or older, you may be at risk for developing it yourself later on in life—even if neither parent currently has glaucoma now.
- Lack of exercise is linked to ocular hypertension by increasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels over time. This can lead to increased risk for high blood pressure and early development of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). These factors can put you at higher risk for developing glaucoma later on in life because increased pressure within the eye causes damage that leads to vision loss over time
Diagnosis
To diagnose OHT, an optometrist will perform a dilated eye exam. This is different from the routine eye exam you get at your optometrist's office and involves medication that dilates the pupil of your eye so that it opens up wide. The optometrist will look for signs of glaucoma during this exam by checking for:
- An enlarged optic disc (the part of the eye that's responsible for absorbing light)
- A narrowing field of vision in one or both eyes
Treatment
Eye drops or Medication
These are typically your first line of defense, but are limited to treating the symptoms and not the underlying cause.
Medications work by relaxing smooth muscles throughout your body so they don't contract as strongly when placed under stressors like coughing/sneezing/exercise
Laser Surgery
A surgeon can use a laser to reshape or remove part of the cornea (the clear covering at the front of your eye). This procedure can reduce pressure inside your eye by opening up newc hannels through which fluid drains from it. It may also help improve vision by removing tissue that has hardened over time due to excess pressure on your optic nerve.
Other Surgical Procedures
In some cases where other methods aren't effective enough, surgeons might need to perform more involved operations
Coping with Vision Loss
- Early detection is the key to treating eye disease.
- Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding treatment and medication, as well as any lifestyle changes that you need to make in order to reduce your risk of developing eye disease or experiencing vision loss.
- Regular visits with an optometrist or optometrist can help ensure that you are getting the best possible care for your eyes and overall health.
