What happens if eye pressure stays high?

High eye pressure, if left untreated, may damage the optic nerve and could result in vision loss or blindness, a condition known as glaucoma. Monitoring IOP is essential to the early detection of glaucoma which is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.


Should I be worried about high eye pressure?

Having high pressure inside your eye can heighten your risk of developing permanent nerve damage. High eye pressure increases your risk for developing conditions such as optic neuritis and glaucoma. Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to have your eye pressure measured.

Is high pressure in the eyes serious?

Elevated eye pressure can occur without symptoms, and is as dangerous to your eyes as high blood pressure is to your organs. It is often the first sign that you may be developing glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.


How long does it take for high eye pressure to cause damage?

In general, pressures of 20-30 mm Hg usually cause damage over several years, but pressures of 40-50 mm Hg can cause rapid visual loss and also precipitate retinovascular occlusion.

How do you get rid of high pressure in your eyes?

These tips may help you control high eye pressure or promote eye health.
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help you maintain your health, but it won't prevent glaucoma from worsening. ...
  2. Exercise safely. ...
  3. Limit your caffeine. ...
  4. Sip fluids carefully. ...
  5. Take prescribed medicine.


High Intraocular Pressure IOP



What causes the eye pressure to go high?

Elevated eye pressure happens as the result of a buildup of fluid that flows throughout the inside of the eye. This fluid also is known as the aqueous humor. It usually drains through a tissue located at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. This tissue also is called the trabecular meshwork.

Can high eye pressure be fixed?

High eye pressure can be treated with drops, laser treatments or surgery. If your eye pressures are too high for your eyes then an individualised pressure lowering treatment plan is prepared as not all high pressure is the same. Modern drop treatments are highly effective and safe.

What is the fastest way to bring down eye pressure?

How Do I Lower My Intraocular Pressure
  1. Eat a Healthy Diet. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is helpful when managing your eye pressure. ...
  2. Exercise. Moving your body is important for your health. ...
  3. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake. ...
  4. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping. ...
  5. Medications.


Can high eye pressure cause an eye stroke?

Although an eye stroke can occur from a total blockage of a blood vessel that feeds the optic nerve, it is more commonly caused by a lack of pressure or perfusion of the tissue. Blood pressure may change relative to the eye pressure and the normal flow of blood is reduced.

What are symptoms of high pressure in eye?

Symptoms of High Eye Pressure
  • Pain inside and around the eye.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Blind spots in the visual field.
  • Red eyes.
  • Irritation and discomfort to the eyes.
  • Headaches.


What should you avoid with high eye pressure?

High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.


Can eye pressure go down?

Medical Treatments

Although glaucoma and vision loss cannot be reversed, if caught early enough, treatments can be done to reduce symptoms such as headaches and eye pain. Eye drops – there is a plethora of prescription eye drops that the doctor would prescribe in the initial stages of high eye pressure or glaucoma.

Does high eye pressure always mean glaucoma?

But not everyone with high eye pressure will develop glaucoma — and some people with normal eye pressure get glaucoma. Whether you develop glaucoma depends on the amount of pressure your optic nerve can handle — and this amount is different for each person. For most people, eye pressure above 21 is higher than normal.

What is the danger zone for eye pressure?

Most eye doctors treat if pressures are consistently higher than 28-30 mm Hg because of the high risk of optic nerve damage.


How can I lower my eye pressure naturally?

Below are some natural ways to lower your eye pressure:
  1. Reduce Carbohydrates, Lower Insulin Levels. There is a direct link between insulin levels and amount of sugar or carbohydrates you take. ...
  2. Eat Healthy Diet. ...
  3. Limit Caffeine. ...
  4. Exercise. ...
  5. Reduce Stress. ...
  6. Sleep with Head Raised.


Can you check your own eye pressure?

Place the tips of both index fingers on the closed upper eyelid. Keeping both fingertips in contact with the upper eyelid, apply gentle pressure through the closed eyelid, first gently pressing on the eye with the right index finger, then with the left, and then with the right again (Figure 1). Repeat on the other eye.

What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke?

Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.


Does high blood pressure make your eye pressure high?

High Blood Pressure and Glaucoma

Doctors know that increased blood pressure results in increased eye pressure, possibly because high blood pressure increases the amount of fluid the eye produces and/or affects the eye's drainage system.

Is there a medication to lower eye pressure?

Latanoprost is a medicine that treats high pressure inside the eye. Increased pressure can damage your optic nerve and cause vision loss or blindness. Your doctor may give it to you if you have glaucoma or high pressure in the eye (ocular hypertension).

What is the normal eye pressure by age?

Age-related change in IOP

In the cross-sectional analysis, average IOP increased from 12.7 mm Hg in subjects in their 20s to 14.0 mm Hg in those in their 40s. Then IOP decreased from 13.9 mm Hg in those in their 60s to 13.1 mm Hg in those in their 70s.


What is the difference between high eye pressure and glaucoma?

Ocular hypertension is not considered a disease by itself, but it can lead to a condition known as glaucoma. Glaucoma is a serious disease that causes vision loss and can also lead to blindness if left untreated. On its own, ocular hypertension does not cause damage to vision.

How long does it take for high eye pressure to cause glaucoma?

In most cases, glaucoma develops slowly, without warning. This is why our team at Focal Point Vision stresses the importance of regular eye exams, especially for people aged 60 or older. Early-onset glaucoma can lead to blindness in as little as 15 years if left untreated.

What time of day is eye pressure highest?

“Pressure is highest typically in the morning, when you're just waking up, and lowest in the afternoon,” says Johnson. “So if you have a 4:00 pm. appointment at the doctor's office, that particular pressure may be the lowest pressure you'll have that day.”


Does watching TV affect glaucoma?

If your eyes become tired with prolonged concentration, you can rest them periodically - but please don't worry that you have done them any harm. Similarly, longer distance viewing such as driving, watching TV or going to the movies does not harm your eyes.

What is the best drink for glaucoma?

A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that people who drank at least one cup of hot tea daily lowered their glaucoma risk by 74% compared to those who did not. The foundation also suggested chocolate, bananas, avocados, pumpkin seeds and black beans for their health benefits.