What Affects Eye Pressure?

Eye pressure, technically called intraocular pressure (IOP), is determined by the production and drainage of fluid in the eye. Elevated IOP is called ocular hypertension, and is an eye health concern.

Significance

• Elevated IOP, or ocular hypertension, is closely associated with glaucoma eye disease, which threatens vision loss. It is cited as the main risk factor for glaucoma, according to eMedicineHealth.com. High IOP threatens to damage the eye's optic nerve, which is responsible for vision.

Features

• For IOP to be normal, eye fluids must be able to drain properly. Elevated IOP means that the fluids are built up due to a blockage in the drainage system. According to AllAboutVision.com, there are no outward signs of high IOP, such as redness or swelling, until damage is done.

Injury or Trauma

• AllAboutVision.com reports that an injury or trauma to the head, nose, or directly to the eye can cause a malfunction in the eye's fluid-producing and/or drainage system. A blockage may occur in the drainage passageways, thereby causing high IOP.

Age

• The eMedicineHealth.com report on ocular hypertension says that IOP increases with age, and people age 40 and up are considered by ophthalmologists as at risk for ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Race and Gender

• Both AllAboutVision.com and eMedicineHealth.com cite African Americans as being the race with the greatest risk of high IOP and glaucoma. The eMedicineHealth.com report says that women are at a higher risk than men for ocular hypertension, particularly after menopause.

Other Factors

• AllAboutVision.com reports that other factors that will affect eye pressure are medications, such as steriods, and vision conditions, such as myopia (nearsightedness).