High Eye Pressure Causes Vision Problems, And You Can Have Them Too!
Introduction
High eye pressure (Intra-Ocular Pressure - IOP), or ocular hypertension as it is known in medical terms, is a condition in which the pressure inside the eye or the intraocular pressure increases beyond its normal range. High eye pressure, also known as glaucoma, is a disease that damages the optic nerve and leads to vision loss. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. In order to prevent and treat glaucoma, it is important to understand how eye pressure is measured and what causes it.
Causes for High Eye Pressure (Glaucoma)
Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure within the eye, which damages the optic nerve. When the pressure rises, the eye begins to swell. If the swelling continues, the eye can become damaged, and vision may be lost. Some people are genetically predisposed to develop glaucoma.
Overproduction of liquid in eyes (aqueous) : Our eyes produce a special liquid in its anterior segment known as Aqueous Humor. Sometimes aqueous is produced at a much high rate that it is drained out of eyes. This leads to aqueous accumulation, which increases the pressure inside the eye.
Slow aqueous drainage : It is yet another cause of high pressure in eyes. Sometimes drainage system of aqueous does not function properly resulting in accumulation of aqueous in the eye. Thus eye pressure (IOP) increases.
Matured Cataract : When cataract is long lasting and get matured, clouded lens may get ruptured. This leads to accumulation of lens particles inside the anterior segment of eyes. These lens particles block the outflow track of aqueous resulting in high eye pressure or glaucoma. So our eye surgeon Dr Sharva Pandya suggest that cataract should be operated timely to avoid glaucoma and its retinal consequences.
Eye Trauma : Trauma to the eye may disturb the balance between between the production of aqueous and its drainage, causing increased eye pressure.
Medications : Few medicines like steroids and steroidal eye drops can also cause high eye pressure.
Other eye conditions like corneal arcus, pigment dispersion syndrome, etc., are also associated with increased eye pressure (IOP).
Symptoms of High Eye Pressure
About half of all patients with glaucoma are asymptomatic, but the disease can lead to blindness if untreated. High eye pressure is often associated with headaches, blurred vision, pain in one or both eyes, or sudden changes in vision. The symptoms can vary from person to person. The most common symptoms of glaucoma include:
Blurred vision
Reduced peripheral vision
Decreased vision in dim light
Painless halos around lights
Numbness of the face
Eye sensitivity to light
Headaches
Visual disturbances
Precautions To Be Taken
You must get regular eye check up done. If you are already Glaucoma patient, regular IOP checkup and Retina Screening with OCT Scan is advisable. To check field of vision sometimes Automated Perimetry is also advised by ophthalmologist. If you are looking for advanced eye hospital in Udaipur, please consider Jai Drishti Eye Hospital, by calling +91 9982996666 and book your appointment.