What is the normal pressure in the eye?
Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 12-22 mm Hg, and eye pressure of greater than 22 mm Hg is considered higher than normal. When the IOP is higher than normal but the person does not show signs of glaucoma, this is referred to as ocular hypertension.
At what pressure should glaucoma be treated?
If glaucoma is present, patients with intraocular pressure above 14 mmHg should be treated, as in such cases there is always a “pressure risk factor”.
How do you get your eye pressure down?
These tips may help you control high eye pressure or promote eye health.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help you maintain your health, but it won’t prevent glaucoma from worsening.
- Exercise safely.
- Limit your caffeine.
- Sip fluids frequently.
- Sleep with your head elevated.
- Take prescribed medicine.
Does high eye pressure always lead to glaucoma?
High eye pressure does not always cause glaucoma. A common condition is ocular hypertension , where the eye pressure is above the ‘normal’ level, but there is no detectable damage to the field of vision or optic nerve. This condition may be monitored without treatment or may be treated in the same way as glaucoma.
How does eye pressure relate to glaucoma?
Historically, glaucoma was identified as a disease in which the eye was firm or hard due to high eye pressure. However, doctors gradually came to understand that glaucoma can occur even when eye pressure is normal, which sometimes makes it harder to diagnose. Today, eye pressure is considered a major risk factor for glaucoma but is not included in the definition of this eye disease.
What causes high eye pressure and risk of glaucoma?
Elevated intraocular pressure is a concern in people with ocular hypertension because it is one of the main risk factors for glaucoma. High pressure inside the eye is caused by an imbalance in the production and drainage of fluid in the eye (aqueous humor). The channels that normally drain the fluid from inside the eye do not function properly.
What are the main causes of glaucoma?
The cause of glaucoma from a scientific point is increased fluid pressure within the eye that causes a disruption in normal function.