It is estimated that approximately three to six million people in the United States have ocular hypertension and many have no idea they have it. This is an eye condition where the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) is consistently higher than normal. While this condition is not glaucoma, it can increase the risk of developing it, which could eventually lead to vision loss.
Comprehensive Eye Exams Crucial to Diagnosing Ocular Hypertension
What is especially frustrating about ocular hypertension is that you may not even know you have it because it does not cause obvious damage to the optic nerve or cause a change to your vision until it progresses to glaucoma. The only way it can be detected is by measuring the pressure in your eyes, which is normally included in a comprehensive eye exam.
Know Your Risks for Having Ocular Hypertension
There are certain risk factors that increase your chances of having ocular hypertension:
- Are over 40 years of age
- Have a family history of glaucoma
- Are African-American or Latino
- Have lower systemic blood pressure
- Have been previously told that you have:
- Higher eye pressure
- Lower ocular perfusion pressure
- Bleeding at the head of your optic nerve
- A thinner central cornea
With proper treatment, you can reduce the risk of developing glaucoma by almost half.
If you have any of these risk factors, be sure to discuss them with your eye doctor who will then monitor you. It is important to keep up with your eye exams and immediately notify your eye doctor of any sudden changes in your vision. Contact Valley Eyecare Center at 602-955-2700 to schedule your appointment.
