Eye hypertension: what should you know?

The eye constantly makes and drains a clear fluid. If fluid leaves more slowly than it is produced, pressure can rise. Eye hypertension is not the same as blood pressure measured in the arm, and it may not cause pain or a noticeable change in sight. A clinician may assess eye pressure, the optic nerve, peripheral vision, and the drainage angle. Raised pressure can increase glaucoma risk, but pressure alone does not establish that diagnosis.

Keep every eye appointment so measurements can be compared over time. If pressure-lowering drops are prescribed, use them exactly as directed and mention stinging, redness, breathing symptoms, or other unwanted effects. Tell the eye clinician about all medicines and health conditions. General health also matters: high blood pressure, obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, and kidney or heart conditions may be relevant to your overall assessment, but they do not by themselves explain an individual eye-pressure reading.

Contact your eye clinic promptly if vision changes, eye pain, halos around lights, marked redness, headache, nausea, or vomiting develops. Sudden severe eye pain with reduced vision is an emergency. Do not wait for a routine pressure check if these symptoms appear. Seek urgent help for new weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, or sudden loss of vision, which can signal a stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

What were my pressure readings, and how will they be followed? Is my optic nerve or visual field affected? Do I need drops, and what should I do if I miss one?