The Connection between Glaucoma and High Eye Pressure
- Posted on: Nov 15 2015
You may have heard that you have a higher risk of glaucoma if you have high pressure inside your eye. Even though people with normal eye pressure can develop glaucoma, it’s true that most people with the disease have elevated eye pressure.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve, often leading to vision loss and eventual blindness. There’s no exact level of eye pressure that puts you at risk for glaucoma. But because early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to protect your vision, it’s important to have your pressure checked and eyes examined regularly.
Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Your pressure is considered “normal” if it’s between 12 and 22 mm Hg and higher than normal if it’s 22 mm Hg or higher.
If your eye pressure is in the higher-than-normal range, you’ll want to see your ophthalmologist regularly to check for signs of glaucoma. Higher pressure alone doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely get glaucoma. Other factors, like a suspicions-looking optic nerve or a history of glaucoma, also play a role. But because higher pressure does add to your risk, it’s important to keep up with eye exams.
If you already have glaucoma or develop it at some point, your ophthalmologist will try to control your eye pressure as part of your treatment. Keeping pressure within a safe range can help reduce the risk of damage to your optic nerve and slow the progression of the disease—in other words, help prevent vision loss. Medication can help control your eye pressure.
Are you due for an eye exam and an eye-pressure check? Early detection and treatment is the best way to reduce your risk of severe glaucoma and vision loss. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
Posted in: Glaucoma
