Signs & Symptoms of Eye Pressure

Ocular hypertension, or high eye pressure, can cause numerous vision problems, one of which is blindness. When pressure builds up in the eye, it can damage the optic nerve and result in the gradual loss of vision. This is typically referred to as glaucoma, though there are some cases of glaucoma that do not involve an elevated level of eye pressure. Even so, in order to maintain your sight for the rest of your life, it's important to understand the signs and symptoms of ocular eye pressure so you can seek appropriate treatment.

Lack of Symptoms

• Unfortunately, most people don't even realize they have an elevated eye pressure until they start to lose vision. This is because this condition often presents with no symptoms at all. In fact, it is the norm for ocular hypertension to be completely symptom-free for years. That's why you should regularly see your eye doctor for regular eye examinations, just to be on the safe side.

Diabetes

• Since ocular pressure often lacks symptoms, you should take notice of some of the other conditions or signs that can point to the development of this condition. For instance, having been diagnosed with diabetes is a probable indicator of dealing with heightened eye pressure or glaucoma. As a part of your regular exams for maintaining your diabetes, glaucoma and eye pressure tests should also be done.

Age

• Elevated eye pressure is more common in adults over the age of 45, so regular eye exams are especially crucial if you are this age or older. Glaucoma tests are usually a part of a regular eye exam, but if you are concerned in any way about ocular eye pressure, be sure to bring it up to your eye doctor.

History of Glaucoma

• If someone in your family has had glaucoma, you are much more likely to develop this condition or elevated eye pressure at some point in your life. And while a family history does not guarantee your diagnosis of the disease, it does put you at a higher risk, making regular eye exams a priority in order to preserve eyesight.

Previous Eye Injury

• If you have experienced trauma to the eye at some point in your life, you are more likely to suffer from high ocular pressure or glaucoma than someone who has not. There does not appear to be a significant difference between severe eye injuries and minor ones in terms of likelihood of developing eye pressure problems.