22/02/2019
Have you checked your eye pressure? High eye pressure might be the cause of those discomfort in your eyes.
INTRA OCULAR PRESSURE (IOP).
This is said to be the fluid pressure in the eye. That is what we commonly call "EYE PRESSURE" it is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The normal eye pressure ranges from 10mmHg - 21mmHg. Tonometry is the method eye care professionals use to determine this. IOP is an important aspect in the evaluation of patients at risk of glaucoma .
Imagine the eye as a water balloon, the more the water that is put into the balloon, the higher the pressure inside the balloon. The situation applies to the eye. The more the fluid, the higher the pressure.
CLASSIFICATION
Ocular hypertension (high eye pressure)
Ocular hypotension (low eye pressure)
OCULAR HYPERTENSION
Ocular hypertension usually refers to any situation in which the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure, is higher than normal, with no further damage to the eye. However ocular hypertension should not be considered a disease. Instead it is a term used to describe individuals who should be observed more closely than the general population for the onset of glaucoma.
High eye pressure is of great concern because it is one of the major risk factors for glaucoma. Caused by an imbalance in the production and drainage of the fluid in the eye.
Other causes could be
Trauma to the eye
Certain medications
SYMPTOMS
Most people with ocular hypertension do not experience any symptoms. For this reason, regular eye examinations with an optometrist are very important to rule out any damage to the optic nerve from the high pressure.
OCULAR HYPOTENSION
This is defined as intra ocular pressure equal to or less than 5mmHg. That is when the eye pressure is low. Such low pressure could indicate fluid leakage and deflation in the eyeball.
PREVENTION
Ocular hypertension cannot be prevented, but through regular eye examinations with an optometrist, its progression to glaucoma can be prevented.
MANAGEMENT
High eye pressure can be managed with the use of eye drops depending on the severity of response to medications or
Surgery
Baseline is early detection. If there is a history of blindness or diagnosed glaucoma, please visit an eye clinic, request for a glaucoma test.
