What is ocular hypertension?
Also known as raised eye pressure, this condition means the pressure in your eye is higher than normal which could lead to problems.
What causes ocular hypertension?
Most cases of ocular hypertension are caused by a restriction or blockage in the eye’s drainage channels. Without proper drainage, the pressure of the fluid becomes greater than normal, causing higher eye pressure.
Risk factors of ocular hypertension
Anyone can develop ocular hypertension, but there are several factors that could increase the risk of getting the condition:
- Ocular hypertension tends to increase with age
- Family history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension
- African or Hispanic ethnicity, as these populations are at higher risk of developing glaucoma
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease
- Certain medications, particularly corticosteroids, which can increase intraocular pressure
Treatment for ocular hypertension
Fortunately, ocular hypertension can be treated if necessary. The most common treatment is the use of eye drops to help reduce the eye pressure.
For the vast majority of people, ocular hypertension will not cause any problems, but around 10% will develop glaucoma over time. For those with a higher chance of developing glaucoma, daily eye drops can be prescribed to reduce the eye pressure and halve the risk of glaucoma occurring.
