Your eyes are one of the most essential organs of your body, and maintaining their optimal health is necessary for good vision.

However, several factors can cause your eyes’ pressure to increase, causing discomfort and potentially leading to eye problems. Here is an overview of eye pressure, what elevates it, and what levels are optimal for good eye health.

What is Eye Pressure?

Eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), refers to the pressure inside your eye. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), similar to how blood pressure is measured.

Your eye continually produces fluid called aqueous humor, which drains out of your eye through a mesh-like channel called the trabecular meshwork. If the fluid cannot drain properly, it can build up pressure in your eye, making you feel uncomfortable.

What Elevates Eye Pressure?

Several factors can increase your eye pressure. Here are some of the most common causes of elevated eye pressure:.

1. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged, often due to high eye pressure. It can lead to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated.

Therefore, people with glaucoma need to monitor their eye pressure regularly and follow their doctor’s advice to reduce intraocular pressure if necessary.

2. Age

As you age, your eye’s natural drainage system becomes less efficient, causing pressure to build up in your eye more quickly. Therefore, older adults are more likely to experience elevated eye pressure, even without glaucoma.

3. Genetics

Some people may have a genetic predisposition to elevated eye pressure and glaucoma. If someone in your family has had glaucoma, you may be more likely to develop it as well, so it’s essential to get regular eye exams to monitor your eye health.

4. Injuries

Eye injuries can cause elevated eye pressure, especially if they involve damage to the eye’s drainage system.

Therefore, it’s essential to protect your eyes from injury by wearing protective eyewear when playing sports or working with tools and machinery.

What are Optimal Eye Pressure Levels?

The optimal eye pressure range is typically between 10-21mmHg, although this can vary slightly depending on several factors, such as age, race, and overall health status.

If your eye pressure consistently measures at or above 22mmHg, your doctor may diagnose you with “ocular hypertension” and recommend regular follow-up appointments to monitor your eye pressure and reduce it if necessary.

How to Lower Elevated Eye Pressure?

If your eye pressure is consistently elevated, your doctor may recommend several options to lower it, including:.

1. Eye Drops

Eye drops can help reduce eye pressure by either reducing the amount of fluid produced or increasing the fluid’s drainage out of the eye. They are often the first line of treatment for people with ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

2. Oral Medications

If eye drops alone are not sufficient to lower your eye pressure, your doctor may prescribe oral medications that work by reducing the production of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.

Common oral medications for elevated eye pressure include carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, beta-blockers, and alpha-agonists.

3. Laser Trabeculoplasty

Laser trabeculoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser to increase the trabecular meshwork’s drainage capability.

It can help reduce eye pressure in those with open-angle glaucoma and has a lower risk of side effects than many medications.

4. Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to lower eye pressure.

There are several surgical options, such as trabeculectomy, in which your surgeon creates a small hole in your eye to allow fluid to drain out more easily, or a tube shunt, in which a small tube is inserted to allow fluid to drain into a reservoir implanted in your eye.

Conclusion

Elevated eye pressure is a common problem that can lead to discomfort, vision loss, and even blindness if left untreated.

It’s essential to understand the causes of elevated eye pressure and how to maintain optimal eye pressure levels for good eye health. Regular eye exams, protective eyewear, and following your doctor’s recommended maintenance and treatment options can all help lower your risk of developing eye pressure problems.