When we talk about intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside the eye that helps maintain its shape and function. Also known as eye pressure, it's one of the most important numbers your eye doctor checks — not because it’s always high, but because when it is, it can quietly damage your vision. Most people don’t feel it rising, even when it’s pushing hard enough to kill optic nerve cells. That’s why it’s called the "silent thief of sight" — no pain, no warning, just gradual loss.
High intraocular pressure doesn’t always mean you have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to elevated eye pressure. Also known as optic neuropathy, it’s the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. But it’s the biggest red flag. Not everyone with high pressure develops glaucoma, and some people with normal pressure still get it. That’s why doctors don’t just look at one number — they check the shape of your optic nerve, your peripheral vision, and your family history. ocular hypertension, the term for elevated eye pressure without nerve damage is a risk factor, not a diagnosis. Think of it like high blood pressure — it’s a warning sign, not the disease itself.
What raises your eye pressure? Age, genetics, steroid use, thin corneas, and even how much you drink at once. Some people get spikes from lying flat, wearing tight collars, or doing inverted yoga poses. Others have no clear trigger. The good news? You can’t fix it with diet or supplements alone, but you can catch it early. Regular eye exams — especially after 40 — are the only reliable way to know if your pressure is climbing. If it is, drops are the first line of defense. They work by either reducing fluid production or helping it drain better. Laser treatments and surgery come later, if needed.
The posts below cover real-world situations where eye pressure plays a role — from how certain medications like steroids can raise it, to why people with diabetes or high blood pressure need more frequent checks. You’ll find guides on spotting early signs, understanding test results, and what to ask your eye doctor when pressure numbers don’t make sense. No fluff. Just clear, practical info from people who’ve been there.
Medication-induced acute angle-closure glaucoma is a sudden, painful eye emergency that can cause permanent blindness within hours. Common drugs like decongestants, antidepressants, and eye drops can trigger it in people with narrow drainage angles-often without warning.
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