Video: Ocular Hypertension

The term ocular hypertension usually refers to any situation in which the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure, is higher than normal.

Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 10-21 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension is an eye pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg.

Transcript

The term ocular hypertension typically refers to any situation in which the pressure inside of the eye is higher than normal. Ocular hypertension is not considered a disease by itself, but it can lead to a condition known as glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a serious disease that causes vision loss and can also lead to blindness if left untreated. On its own, ocular hypertension does not cause damage to vision. This condition must be monitored carefully and, in some cases, treated with topical eye medications.

If your doctor feels that you are at low risk of developing glaucoma in the next several years, then eye medications may not be necessary. Since ocular hypertension may increase the risk of developing glaucoma, routine eye exams by an eye care professional are recommended to assess the eye’s overall health.