Ocular hypertension happens when your eye pressure is more than the normal range and there are no noticeable changes in your vision or damage to the eye structure. The term is used to distinguish individuals who have elevated pressure from individuals who have glaucoma, which is considered a serious eye disease that results in damage to the optic nerve as well as a loss of vision.
Ocular hypertension can happen in individuals of any age, though it occurs in individuals over 40 years of age, more often in African Americans, and in individuals with a family history of the disease and/or glaucoma. In addition, ocular hypertension is more common in individuals who have diabetes or are very nearsighted.
The disease has no detectable symptoms or signs. Your eye doctor can check your eye pressure with a tonometer, which is a special eye instrument. He or she can also examine the inner eye structures to determine your overall eye health.
Not all individuals who have ocular hypertension will end up developing glaucoma. However, individuals with the eye disease are at an increased risk of doing so. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with ocular hypertension, it is important to undergo comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis.
Currently, there is not a cure for ocular hypertension. However, as long as you are carefully monitored and receive treatment when necessary, the risk of damage to your eyes can be reduced considerably.
For more information, get in touch with Performance Vision, Inc.