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Ocular hypertension

Ocular hypertension occurs when the internal pressure of the eye (or ocular tone) is consistently higher than levels that are defined as standard (between 10 and 20 mmHg).

Ocular hypertension is a situation that needs to be constantly monitored to avoid the possibility of related eye diseases, such as glaucoma, which, if not treated promptly, can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and vision.

The most frequent symptoms of ocular hypertension are:

  • Sensation of heaviness or pain in the eyeball;
  • difficulty in focusing;
  • feeling of “fog” in front of the eyes.

Certain factors, such as trauma to the eye or the constant use of certain types of medication, can lead to a change in eye pressure, causing a situation of ocular hypertension.
Eye pressure levels can also be affected transiently (and therefore not pathologically) by other causes, such as physical activity, heart rate and consumption of alcohol or caffeine.

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Diagnosis

For a diagnosis of ocular hypertension, it is necessary to consult a medical specialist, the ophthalmologist, who will carry out some specific tests (such as tonometry, a specific technique that measures intraocular pressure) and can indicate the best course of action to take.

Since ocular hypertension may remain harmless or, on the contrary, may be associated with major diseases, it is essential to have regular check-ups to keep it constantly monitored.

Treatment

In treating ocular hypertension, the main purpose is to reduce eye pressure and try to keep it within standard levels, to avoid any possible decrease in vision.

In the case of isolated ocular hypertension, without risk factors or evidence of other clinical signs, regular and frequent check-ups may be sufficient, without the need for treatment.
However, after an overall assessment, the ophthalmologist may decide to prescribe a therapy based on eye drops and/or drugs to be taken orally.