{"id":17806,"date":"2021-10-05T07:36:08","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T07:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=17806"},"modified":"2022-06-29T16:31:05","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T16:31:05","slug":"5-reasons-why-high-eye-pressure-is-serious","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-health\/eyes-the-windows-to-your-health\/5-reasons-why-high-eye-pressure-is-serious\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Reasons Why High Eye Pressure Is Serious"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ocular hypertension \u2014 high pressure inside the eyes \u2014 is not just a number but can have serious consequences.<\/b><\/h1>\n

What is ocular hypertension?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When the fluid in the eyes doesn’t drain properly, pressure builds up inside the eye. This higher than normal pressure is called \u2018ocular hypertension\u2019.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Ocular hypertension can lead to sight-threatening health concerns and needs to be closely monitored by your eye doctor.<\/p>\n

There are many complications of high eye pressure:<\/p>\n

1. Glaucoma<\/b><\/h2>\n

Glaucoma<\/b><\/a> impacts the lives of over 12% of the population, can result in \u2018tunnel vision\u2019 and is known as the \u2018Silent Thief of Sight<\/b>\u2019.<\/p>\n

One of the main risk factors for glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure, which is a concern in people with ocular hypertension.<\/p>\n

Glaucoma is an ocular disease that causes vision loss from damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying visual signals between the eye and brain.<\/b><\/p>\n

Glaucoma: the<\/b> \u201cSilent Thief of Sight\u201d<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

This nickname is well deserved as glaucoma causes vision loss before<\/i> the person notices any symptoms.<\/p>\n

Glaucoma has the infamous reputation of \u201crobbing\u201d the ability to see, without giving the person time to recognize symptoms and seek their eye doctor\u2019s medical opinion. Consequently, a diagnosis is usually made only after permanent vision loss has occurred.<\/p>\n

It is therefore important to schedule regular eye exams<\/a>, as new diagnostic tests are available to detect early signs of glaucoma, and are essential in preventing vision loss.<\/p>\n

2. Optic nerve damage\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Having high pressure inside your eye can heighten your risk of developing permanent nerve damage<\/b>.<\/p>\n

High eye pressure increases your risk for developing conditions such as optic neuritis and glaucoma.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED:<\/b> 6 Tips for Healthy Eyes after 50<\/a><\/p>\n

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you<\/b><\/a> to have your eye pressure measured.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\t

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Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t
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