There are chances that you’re already aware of blood pressure, but did you know that there’s also such a thing called eye pressure? Also referred to as intraocular pressure (IOP), this pressure aids in supporting the form of your eye. Overall, it keeps the two million parts found in your eye functioning for you to see well.
And just like how there’s high and low blood pressure, the intraocular pressure in your eyes is also prone to low or increased eye pressure. And if left unattended, high eye pressure can eventually lead to developing glaucoma. So, here’s everything you need to know about eye pressure.
How Does Eye Pressure Work?
Normal eye pressure works by keeping your eyeballs lubricated with fluid. This aids in keeping your eyes puffed up like a ball. In addition, healthy eyes regularly drain the liquids in your eyes with ease.
This pressure is calculated based on the millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), with regular eye pressures ranging at 10 – 21 mm Hg. Once it becomes higher or lower than those ranges, you will end up with low or increased eye pressure.
Low Eye Pressure
Low eye pressure is not much of a huge issue, unlike high eye pressure. A sudden leakage often causes low eye pressure in the eye after surgical procedures.
Low eye pressure can lead to blurred eyesight or other related eye problems. However, some may end up with excellent vision despite low eye pressure, indicating signs that you have eyesight problems.
Once eye pressure becomes 5 mm Hg or lower, you are likely to experience the following:
- Bulging in the cornea (the clear exterior hemisphere found in your eyes)
- Development of cataracts
- Injury to the macula (the component of your vision which senses light and enables you to see)
- Aches and pains in the eye
High Eye Pressure
High eye pressure is when your IOP is much higher than the normal eye pressure ranges indicated above. When neglected, it can often lead to a possibility of developing glaucoma. This eye condition exhibits symptoms such as terrible nagging pain in the eyes, headache, blurred eyesight, vomiting, spotting halos, or redness in the eye.
Symptoms and Causes of High Eye Pressure
Unlike low eye pressure, high eye pressure does not have any visible signs and symptoms. The only way to find out if you have abnormal intraocular pressure is by getting yourself checked with an eye test. During your eye exam, the doctor will do a tonometry exam, which uses a tonometer that will measure the pressure in your eyes.
Too much aqueous liquid in your eye: This is the liquid found at the back of your iris. This eye fluid is in charge of carrying and bathing the oxygen, including other nutrients, to your eyes. This process helps in maintaining the steady pressure of your eyes. However, too much production of it can lead to high pressure.
Decelerated aqueous draining: If the eye cannot drain aqueous at a regular rate, the said fluid will amass in your eye. And if the eye’s draining system is not capable of draining this fluid properly, it can also lead to high eye pressure.
Eye injuries: Particular eye injuries could also terribly influence the creation and draining of aqueous in the eye. Even if it’s been a long while since your last eye injury, it can still cause conditions such as increased eye pressure.
Other medicines you take: Particular medicine you’ve been consuming might also cause high pressure in the eyes.
Other eye problems: Sometimes, other eye problems are linked to high eye pressure.
Get Your Eyes Checked with a Professional Now
Adults who are over 40 years old are prone to getting higher eye pressures. Therefore, it’s crucial to take care of your eye health by doing a yearly eye exam. Besides, being able to see clearly helps you get your tasks done with ease. With that being said, it’s definitely recommended that you visit a professional eye doctor to prevent any possible eye conditions from worsening.
