Eye pressure, also known medically as "glaucoma," is an eye disease. It can cause optic nerve damage and vision loss as a result of increased intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is often known as the "silent thief" because its symptoms are not usually noticed, and it can lead to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed early.
Causes
Eye pressure generally occurs as a result of the intraocular fluid draining or being produced more slowly than normal. This condition leads to an increase in pressure inside the eye. The exact cause of eye pressure is not entirely known, but it is thought that genetic factors, age, race (such as the tendency to occur more frequently in individuals of African descent), intraocular anatomy, high intraocular pressure, migraines, low blood pressure, hypertension, and diabetes play a role.
Symptoms
In the early stages, eye pressure may not have noticeable symptoms. However, in advancing cases, symptoms such as constriction of the visual field, difficulty seeing at night, changes in color perception, eye pain, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and vomiting may occur.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Methods such as measuring intraocular pressure (eye pressure measurement), optic nerve examination, visual field tests, and imaging tests (for example, optical coherence tomography) are used to diagnose glaucoma. When diagnosed early, treatments are available that can slow the progression of glaucoma. These treatments may include eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, and surgical intervention.
Important Points
- Eye pressure usually progresses silently, so regular eye examinations are important.
- Attention should be paid to risk factors, and appropriate measures should be taken.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
Eye pressure is a serious eye disease that can be diagnosed and treated early through regular eye examinations and identifying risk factors. Therefore, to protect your eye health, do not neglect to have periodic eye examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Eye Pressure Cause Headaches?
Eye pressure can manifest with a headache, especially in cases of sudden and severe pressure increases. While no symptoms are observed in stealthily progressing types of glaucoma, some cases may show themselves with headaches that spread around the head due to severe intraocular pressure. This situation occurs particularly in acute angle-closure glaucoma. A headache can be experienced with symptoms such as throbbing pain around the eyes, blurred vision, nausea, and light sensitivity. Not every headache is related to eye pressure, but if there are accompanying eye symptoms, an eye examination should be conducted. Glaucoma diagnosed early can be controlled before complications such as headache and vision loss develop.
What Should Eye Pressure Be?
Eye pressure, i.e., intraocular pressure, should generally be between 10 and 21 mmHg. This range of values is considered a healthy pressure level for the eye. However, since each individual's eye structure is different, some might have normal vision function even with an eye pressure value over 22 mmHg, while others may carry a risk of glaucoma even at lower levels. This condition is referred to as "normal-tension glaucoma." Eye pressure should be evaluated not only with measurement but also with optic nerve and visual field tests. The diagnosis of glaucoma should not be solely based on intraocular pressure values, but rather a detailed eye examination should be performed.
What Are the Symptoms of Eye Pressure?
Eye pressure disease usually does not show symptoms in its early stages, which is why it is also called the "silent thief." Once symptoms appear, it generally signifies that the damage has reached a certain level. Among the most common symptoms of eye pressure are:
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Gradual narrowing of the visual field
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Halo vision around lights
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Occasional pain or pressure sensation in the eyes
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Redness and fatigue in the eyes
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Pain in the head and temple region
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Blurred vision more pronounced in the mornings
In some types, symptoms such as nausea, discomfort when looking at light, and sudden vision loss may also be observed. If eye pressure is detected in the early stage, treatment can be planned before permanent damage occurs.
What Is Eye Pressure?
Eye pressure is a condition where the pressure created by the fluid inside the eye in the eye spaces is higher than normal. This pressure can eventually damage the optic nerve situated at the back of the eye, leading to vision loss. Eye pressure is also popularly known as glaucoma. The balance of intraocular fluid, its production, and drainage is crucial. When this balance is disrupted, fluid accumulates, and intraocular pressure increases. The increased pressure puts pressure on the optic nerves, leading to irreversible loss of visual field. If not treated, glaucoma can progress to blindness over time. Therefore, individuals suspected of having eye pressure must regularly visit an eye doctor for examinations.
How to Reduce Eye Pressure at Home?
Some lifestyle modifications can be effective in controlling eye pressure at home. While these methods do not completely eliminate the disease, they can support medical treatment. Regular exercise regulates blood flow throughout the body and can positively affect the balance of intraocular fluid. However, exercises involving head-down positions should be avoided. Reducing caffeine intake, especially avoiding excessive consumption of drinks like coffee, can help keep intraocular pressure stable.
Stress management is also crucial in eye health. Meditation and breathing exercises help reduce overall tension. Paying attention to sleep patterns, avoiding alcohol and smoking, are effective methods for keeping eye pressure under control. However, these measures alone are not sufficient to treat eye pressure. Eye drops, medications prescribed to reduce eye pressure, and surgical methods if necessary must be planned by an ophthalmologist.
How to Recognize Eye Pressure?
Since eye pressure typically does not cause noticeable complaints, it can be understood through regular eye check-ups. It is recommended that individuals, especially those over 40, undergo an eye examination at least once a year. Tonometry is one of the primary tests conducted to determine eye pressure. This test measures intraocular pressure. The visual field test determines if a person is experiencing vision loss. Eye fundus examination and optical nerve analysis are crucial in diagnosing glaucoma.
Constriction in the visual field, color pale, or night vision problems may be early signs. However, these findings are usually noticed in advanced stages. Therefore, the safest way is to have routine check-ups without waiting for symptoms. Early diagnosis can halt the effects of eye pressure and prevent vision loss.
Does Eye Pressure Cause Black Spots?
Even though there is no direct relationship between eye pressure and seeing black spots, the increase in intraocular pressure can damage the retina and optic nerve. This damage can result in loss of visual field in the advanced stages. Seeing black spots is more often associated with retinal tears, vitreous disorders, or intraocular bleeding, but optic nerve damage due to eye pressure can cause blurred or cloudy vision. If a person suddenly sees black spots, floating objects, or flashes of light, it may not only signal glaucoma but also indicate different and more severe eye diseases. In such cases, a specialist eye doctor's consultation is a must.
Why Is Early Diagnosis of Eye Pressure So Important?
Eye pressure often progresses unnoticed and is difficult to detect before causing severe vision losses. Therefore, early diagnosis is the most effective step in managing glaucoma. For patients with eye pressure detected in the early stage, medication and lifestyle changes can significantly slow or even completely stop the progression of the disease.
One of the most significant advantages of early diagnosis is preventing permanent damage to the optic nerve. Once the eye nerve is damaged, this damage cannot be reversed. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals over the age of 40, even without any complaints, have an eye pressure check once a year. Those with a family history should start these checks at an earlier age.
Can Eye Pressure Be Controlled with Medication?
One of the most commonly used methods in treating eye pressure is medication. Particularly, eye drops are prescribed to reduce the production of intraocular fluid or increase the outflow of the fluid. These medications lower intraocular pressure and reduce the pressure on the optic nerve. The response to treatment can vary from person to person. Therefore, it is crucial to use the prescribed drops regularly and not to skip doctor check-ups.
Eye pressure medications may have some side effects. Burning, redness, blurred vision, or allergic reactions may occur in the eyes. In such cases, a doctor should be consulted, and alternative treatment options should be considered. As the medications are planned for long-term use, patient compliance directly affects the success of the treatment.
For some patients, drops may not be sufficient. In this case, systemic medications or laser treatments may be considered. Nevertheless, medication treatment is quite an effective option in the early stages of glaucoma.
Can Eye Pressure Be Treated with Laser or Surgical Methods?
When intraocular pressure cannot be adequately controlled with medications, laser or surgical methods may be applied. Laser treatment is an effective option especially for patients with open-angle glaucoma. The trabecular meshwork, which enables the flow of eye fluid outside, is rearranged with a laser. This procedure can be done in an outpatient setting, painlessly and quickly.
For patients who do not respond to laser treatment or have advanced glaucoma, surgical intervention may be necessary. One of the most common methods in glaucoma surgery is a procedure called trabeculectomy. This surgery creates a new fluid drainage channel in the eye. In recent years, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries are also developing, offering a shorter recovery time and lower risk of complications.
Regular follow-up after surgical interventions is very important. Lowering intraocular pressure can stop the progression of the disease but cannot reverse existing nerve damage. Therefore, surgical methods are mainly preferred in more advanced cases.
What Should People with Eye Pressure Pay Attention to?
It is recommended that individuals diagnosed with eye pressure make some lifestyle changes. Firstly, medications must be used correctly and on time. Applying the drops at the same time every day enhances treatment efficacy. In addition, it is essential to adhere to the control times determined by the eye doctor.
One of the factors that affect eye pressure is head position. Especially sleeping with the head too low or staying in inverted positions for a long time can increase intraocular pressure. Therefore, it is recommended to sleep with a pillow that keeps the head slightly elevated.
Excessive caffeine consumption, taking large amounts of fluid in a short time, heavy exercises, and stress can affect intraocular pressure. It is advisable to avoid such habits as much as possible. Regular, moderate-level exercises contribute positively both to general health and eye pressure.
Lastly, smoking is also a risk factor regarding eye pressure. Smoking impairs the vascular structure of the eye, threatening optic nerve health. Quitting smoking by individuals diagnosed with glaucoma can slow the progression of the disease.