Eye pressure what should it be

Over time, if the glaucoma is not treated, central vision will also be decreased and then lost — which is how visual impairment from glaucoma is most often noticed.

However, glaucoma can be managed if detected early. To monitor your eye health and prevent vision loss from glaucoma, visit the ophthalmologists and eye doctors at Hill Vision Services in Creve Coeur, Lake St.

Louis, or Glen Carbon IL. Request an appointment with our eye care experts today! How Much Eye Pressure is Normal? View Larger Image. Why Check Eye Pressure Whether or not you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you should have regular eye exams to get your eye pressure checked because early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma is the key to preventing vision loss. Glaucoma Treatment in St. Louis Area To monitor your eye health and prevent vision loss from glaucoma, visit the ophthalmologists and eye doctors at Hill Vision Services in Creve Coeur, Lake St.

Geoffrey Hill is the eldest son of Dr. For this reason, the range for healthy eye pressure is 10 and 21 mmHg. The Diaton is a pen-like device with a stainless steel tip that allows the user to touch the lid in the area above the corneal margin, at the sclera. Glaucoma is a group of chronically progressive eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve. The leading cause of blindness for patients over the age of 60, glaucoma is estimated to affect over 3 million Americans with more than more than , are blind from glaucoma.

While there is no definitive cause of glaucoma, there is a significant correlation between high ocular pressure and glaucoma. That being said, it does not cause glaucoma but is a significant risk factor.

Over time, high pressure causes the nerve fibers in the retina to die, resulting in decreased vision. Significant vision loss and blindness are extremely common if glaucoma is left untreated. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent glaucoma or even heal it but eye medications can lower eye pressure and slow the progression of the disease.

Furthermore, any damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed with medications or by lowering the eye pressure. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options are available to help lower and normalize eye pressure.

All treatment options are determined by your healthcare provider after a comprehensive eye exam and health history. Medications used to normalize eye pressure have side effects and interact with other medications.

For this reason, it is important to take all medication as prescribed and discuss all current medications, vitamins, and supplements with your healthcare provider. If eye drops are not effective, your healthcare provider may start you on oral medications that will lower the eye pressure by decreasing the amount of fluid production in the eye.

These medications are usually carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide and methazolamide. Glaucoma surgery is also a common option for these patients. This option will help to normalize IOP but it does not prevent it from rising again.

Eye surgery is something that should not be taken lightly and only after thoughtful consideration and open discussion with a qualified eye surgeon. While non-pharmacologic options will not normalize eye pressure on their own, they are complementary options.

Currently, these options are not FDA approved for the treatment of high eye pressure and should only be done after consultation with your healthcare provider.

Complementary therapies should never be used in the replacement of prescribed medications. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Kim JH, Caprioli J. Intraocular pressure fluctuation: Is it important? Intraocular pressure. Updated August 28, American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye pressure testing. Updated February 26, Aziz K, Friedman DS.

Tonometers-which one should I use? Eye Lond. IOP and tonometry. High eye pressure, if left untreated, may damage the optic nerve and could result in vision loss or blindness, a condition known as glaucoma. Monitoring IOP is essential to the early detection of glaucoma which is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Keep in mind that high eye pressure alone does not cause or indicate glaucoma; however, it is a risk factor. So, what can cause one to have high eye pressure? In this case, eye drops may be prescribed to lower and control IOP.

Another cause is the side effects of certain medications such as steroids. If you have been prescribed steroid medications for any reason, consult with your eye doctor to see how frequently you should have your IOP checked.