Measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), normal eye pressure falls in the range of 10-21 mm Hg. Patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension have eye pressure over 21. In and of itself, ocular hypertension is not an eye disease, but a possible precursor to the development of glaucoma. Some doctors refer to the condition as “glaucoma suspect.”
Source: iStockphoto
Increased eye pressure does not generally cause noticeable side effects in the early stages, so it is vital to maintain regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams to ensure your eyes are healthy. If you are glaucoma suspect, your doctor may increase the frequency of your exams and use Optos ultra-widefield retinal display imaging to compare your images from one exam to the next to diagnose and treat any complications as soon as possible.
Since higher intraocular eye pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve and impair your vision, it is necessary to understand what it is and what the risks are of developing the condition. The production and drainage of fluid your eyes (aqueous humor), is normally balanced. In the case of elevated pressure, the drainage system does not function properly, resulting in the higher pressure. Some of the risk factors may include:
- – Chronic kidney infection or disease
- – Adrenal gland diseases or tumors
- – High blood pressure in the arms due to a congenital narrowing of the aorta
- – Pregnancy and childbirth
- – Synthetic hormones; particularly in birth control pills
- – Addiction to alcohol
- – Uncontrolled thyroidism
High blood pressure is a systemic issue that can directly contribute to high ocular pressure, so maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle that promotes cardiovascular health is tantamount to protecting not just your overall health, but your vision as well. Since optomap® provides a 200 degree view of your eye your eyecare provider may notice possible cardiovascular issues that were previously not diagnosed. Treatment will be designed on your individual needs.
For more information on how Optos technology can help diagnose and treat ocular hypertension sooner, please visit the contact us.