Eye Pressure Symptoms

Pressure inside the eye is caused by a fluid substance called aqueous humor. This fluid is responsible for supplying essential nutrients to the cornea, iris and lens of the eye. It also maintains the shape of the eye. In normal condition, this aqueous fluid is produced and drained out at a uniform rate. Thus the level of pressure inside the eye remains steady. When due to some reasons, the fluid get accumulated inside the eye then it leads to high eye pressure. On the other hand, if there is not enough fluid, then it causes low eye pressure. Both high and low eye pressure conditions have an adverse effect on the vision.

Symptoms

Normal eye pressure should be in the range of 12 and 21 millimeters of mercury (or mm Hg). When the eye pressure is above 21 mm Hg, it is considered as high eye pressure and when it is below 12 mm Hg, it is low eye pressure. Certain activities can bring about minor changes in the eye pressure for a brief period of time. Like if you stand on your head or lift heavy objects, then it may cause a temporary change in eye pressure. However, it is not a harmful condition and the eye pressure becomes normal within a short span of time. It becomes a serious issue when the high or low pressure persist for a long time.

The medical term used to describe high eye pressure is ocular hypertension. It is caused when the watery fluid production, found inside the eyes, goes up or there is inadequate drainage of the fluid. The two most prevalent symptoms of high eye pressure are chronic pain in the eyes and headache. These symptoms are often accompanied by redness in eyes and blurred vision. If it is left untreated, then it can lead to a serious eye disease named glaucoma. In this condition, the high eye pressure pain become so intense that it causes nausea and vomiting. When these patients look at bright lights, rainbow colored circles appear in front of their eyes. If the optic nerves are damaged irreversibly due to glaucoma, it may even result in complete loss of vision.

Low eye pressure is also known as ocular hypotony. Its symptoms often vary in every individual cases. Some of the most commonly observed symptoms are persistent eye pain, retinal detachment, swelling in and around the eyes and blurred vision. When the pain and swelling increases, it causes excessive tearing and reddening of the eyes.

Treatment

As soon as you notice one or more symptoms, you must visit an ophthalmologist for treatment. At the clinic, eye pressure is measured with the help of a special test known as tonometry test. Besides, many other tests are conducted to determine the exact cause behind change in eye pressure. Those who have increased pressure are given eye drops to bring down the eye pressure. If the cause behind this eye problem is overproduction of eye fluid, then it is controlled with medicines like beta blockers. In some cases, doctors recommend certain eye exercises and aerobic exercises for improving flow of blood to the retina which in turn reduces the eye pressure. When non surgical methods of treatment fails to show any result, then surgery is conducted to drain out the fluid. There are no medicines that can elevate the levels of eye pressure. So, doctors try to treat the underlying condition that caused low eye pressure. Eye injuries are treated with eye drops and medicines. Infections are treated with antibiotics. If it is a chronic problem, then any damage in the tissues inside the eyes is rectified with the help of surgery.

In many cases, no eye pressure symptoms are observed until a serious damage has occurred. You can prevent any major damage with the help of proper eye care. You must go for regular eye check up, twice a year. If you have a family history of glaucoma or you have diabetes, then you must inform your eye doctor about it.