Ocular hypertension is pressure in your eyes that is higher than normal. High pressure in the eyes is a symptom, not a disease. This high pressure can, but does not always damage the eyes or change your vision.
High pressure in the eye can be caused by:
High pressure in the eye is most common in people who have:
It is also more common in people over the age of 40. Ocular hypertension is not related to high blood pressure.
High pressure in the eye usually does not cause symptoms.
Your eyecare provider will examine your eyes and measure the pressure inside the eye. An eye pressure reading of 21 mmHg or higher means that you have ocular hypertension. The eye care provider may:
If you have high pressure in the eye, you may not need treatment. Because ocular hypertension increases your risk for glaucoma, you should have regular eye exams. Your eyecare provider may prescribe eye drops or other medicines to reduce the pressure in your eyes.
Ocular hypertension is a life-long condition. With regular follow-up care to check for problems, most people have good vision.
Let your eyecare provider know that you have ocular hypertension. Keep all appointments for checkups. If you develop headaches, eye pain, or loss of vision, contact your provider right away.
