Can eye pressure become too low after a glaucoma surgery?

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Low pressures are generally below five or so, but everyone is different. Just as some eyes are more sensitive to high pressure, some eyes are more easily troubled by low pressures. A condition called hypotony is generally considered to be less than 6 mm Hg. When the eye pressure is too low it can cause several distortions of the retina, lens and cornea that can degrade vision.

Treatment of hypotony is especially important when it is associated with visual loss. Hypotony may be treated with a variety of techniques, depending on the cause.

Learn more about hypotony.

Posted on September 19, 2008 11:21 AM

Comments (2)

i went to my doctor and he said my eye pressure was 24 and he has to do a test to find out if it´s really glaucoma. my uncle had it in the past and he made a surgery in cuba. Am i supposed to operate if they find out is glaucoma, i´m 29 years old and i´m a flight attendant, will it affect my work?

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Response from the Glaucoma Research Foundation:

A diagnosis of high intraocular pressure is not necessarily a diagnosis of glaucoma. If your eye doctor finds that your IOP is higher than 22 millimeters of mercury, or 22 mm hg, he or she will then check your optic nerve and your visual field. If you have no vision loss, you may have what the doctors call ocular hypertension-that is, pressure above the normal range. This condition may or may not lead to glaucoma, but it puts you in the category of "glaucoma suspect."

Unfortunately, we are unable to answer your medical questions or give medical advice, as we have only general information available about glaucoma and have no doctors on staff. As glaucoma is unique to the individual, we suggest that you refer your question to your doctor, as only your doctor who has examined your eyes can recommend an appropriate treatment for you.

Posted by daymara king | March 12, 2009 2:11 AM

I have a cousin who was diagnosed with some form of glaucoma at age 21. They removed his left eye, but his right eye allowed him to read clearly and was advised to limit his reading. What form of glaucoma would require removal of one eye yet allow the right eye to function almost normally? I have been diagnosed with mild glaucoma. My left eye often sheds tears when I am in a moviehouse.

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Response from the Glaucoma Research Foundation:

Some types of glaucoma such as secondary glaucoma caused by injury to the eye, usually affect one eye. Secondary glaucomas such as Fuch’s syndrome, pseudoexfoliation syndrome and iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome occur in only one eye a majority of the time, but can be bilateral. Have you mentioned your tearing in a moviehouse to your eye doctor?

Posted by Noli Arcedon | March 25, 2009 9:57 AM