Ocular Hypertension
Also known as High Eye Pressure, Elevated Eye Pressure, High Intraocular Pressure, OHT, Glaucoma Suspect
Bottom Line
Ocular hypertension means eye pressure is higher than normal, but there is no glaucoma damage yet. It does not always need drops, but it does need monitoring because some people develop glaucoma.
Ocular hypertension means the pressure inside your eye is higher than normal. But your optic nerve still looks healthy, and your side vision is intact. It is usually found at a routine eye exam.
A large trial called the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study followed people with high eye pressure for years. It found a few things that raise the chance of developing glaucoma over time. These include older age, even higher eye pressure, a thinner cornea, and certain changes in the optic nerve 1.
Not everyone with high eye pressure needs treatment. The same study showed that drops can cut the risk of glaucoma in people with more risk factors. People with fewer risk factors can often be watched closely instead 2.
What High Eye Pressure Means
High pressure is a risk factor, not the same thing as glaucoma. Glaucoma means the optic nerve is damaged. Ocular hypertension means pressure is high but the nerve and side vision are still healthy.
Treatment Options
Options include observation, prescription drops, selective laser trabeculoplasty, or rarely surgery. Treatment depends on pressure level, corneal thickness, age, optic nerve appearance, family history, and ability to follow up. Lessons from the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study guide this decision 2.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What is my eye pressure in each eye?
- How thick are my corneas?
- Do my optic nerves look healthy?
- Do I need a visual field test or OCT?
- What pressure target are we trying to reach?
Common Questions About Ocular Hypertension
Next Steps
- 1Ask for your eye pressure, corneal thickness, optic nerve status, and visual field results.
- 2Keep scheduled follow-up even if your vision feels normal.
- 3Tell your eye doctor about steroid medicines and family history of glaucoma.
- 4Go to the emergency room or call 911 for severe eye pain with halos/nausea, sudden vision loss, or chemical/trauma injury.
Find specialists for Ocular Hypertension
Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Ocular Hypertension.
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