What Should the Eye Pressure Be?

“What should be the eye pressure?” While the answer to the question may vary from person to person, there are some medically risky values. Eye pressure is related to the amount of fluid in the eye. The amount of liquid takes a value according to the pressure it creates. When these values are exceeded, various negative symptoms may occur, as well as serious health problems. Therefore, eye pressure should be measured at regular intervals by an ophthalmologist. If the person has symptoms such as pressure behind the eye, an ophthalmologist should be consulted as soon as possible. If eye pressure values are found to be high, this situation can be controlled with the help of prescribed medications.

Eye pressure formation depends on the age of the person. There may be many reasons ranging from: Whatever the reason, the main purpose is to ensure the flow of intraocular fluid that increases the pressure or to prevent its proliferation. Eye pressure treated in this way prevents progressive and worsening diseases. You can read the rest of the article to learn more about eye pressure.

What Should the Normal Eye Pressure Be?

The fluid inside the eye causes the eye to have a spherical shape. This fluid is decisive for the pressure inside the eye. The value known as Eye tension refers to the intraocular pressure value. Normal intraocular pressure may vary throughout the day and may cause different eye pressures. The fluid that flows regularly from the eye during the day helps balance this pressure. However, if this fluid, called aqueous humor, cannot be excreted in sufficient quantities, it causes pressure increase. In short, the cause of eye pressure is the excessive pressure of the fluid in the eye. Eye pressure is evaluated in millimeters of mercury, and normal eye pressure values are considered to be 10-21 millimeters of mercury. However, in some cases, the pressure of the fluid in the eye increases and, although not very high, exceeds the value of 21 millimeters of mercury. This condition is called ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension may occur in one eye or both eyes. Factors that increase the risk of ocular hypertension are:

• Family risk of ocular hypertension
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Being over 40 years of age< /li>
• Presence of myopia
• Long-term steroid use
• History of eye injury
• History of eye surgery
• Pigment dispersion syndrome presence
• Thin cornea
• Bleeding at the head of the optic nerve

What Happens When Eye Pressure Increases?

When the fluid called aqueous humor in the eye builds up too much or is not drained sufficiently, eye pressure rises. When the drainage angle between the iris and cornea is blocked, fluid drainage may become difficult. Conditions that can accumulate fluid that blocks the drainage angle and causes eye pressure are:

• Clogging of the drainage angle due to pigment or protein
• Eye cancer
• Eye damage< /li>
• Stress

Rising eye pressure can cause glaucoma, which causes vision loss in some cases. However, ocular hypertension, that is, high eye pressure, is not the same as glaucoma. Glaucoma is a result of eye hypertension. When a person's eye pressure increases, pain may be felt in the eyes. This condition is most often treated with eye drops. If the eye pressure is high, the treatment options that can be applied to prevent it from progressing and causing glaucoma are as follows:

• Prostaglandins: It increases the amount of fluid outflow from the eye.
• Beta-blockers: Reduces the fluid produced within the eye.
• Alpha-adrenergic agonists: Increases fluid flow.
• Miotic and cholinergic agents:Increases the outflow of fluid from the eye.

What Are Eye Pressure Values? Are They Dangerous?

Although it is known that normal values of eye pressure vary from person to person, very high values are considered risky for everyone. People with high eye pressure have their eye pressure measured at regular check-ups. It is considered high risk when values go above 30 millimeters of mercury. People with not only 30 millimeters of mercury but also 26 millimeters of mercury and those with a corneal thickness of less than 555 microns are considered high risk. These people are considered to have a high risk of experiencing glaucoma, which can cause vision loss.

People with pressure in the 24-29 millimeters of mercury range and a corneal thickness of less than 555 microns with pressure in the 22-25 millimeters of mercury range are also considered medium risk. are made. It is recommended to start treatment to eliminate the danger for both groups. However, the treatment procedure is planned individually by the ophthalmologist.

How to Measure Eye Pressure?

Eye pressure is measured with a device called tonometry during an eye examination. There are various application methods of this device. Types of tonometry are given below.

• Applanation Tonometry: Eye pressure can be measured painlessly using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Before applying this method, which is considered the gold standard, the eyes are anesthetized and a small amount of dye is added to the eye. Eye pressure is measured using a small tip under a slit lamp.
• Pneumatonometry:In case of damage to the cornea, this dye-free method is preferred. In pneumatonometry, the eye is anesthetized and eye pressure is measured.
• Rebound Tonometry: It is a tonometry used without the need for anesthesia. It is especially preferred in children.
• Air Insufflation Tonometry: Also known as non-contact tonometry. It helps measure eye pressure through a rapid pulse of air.

There are other methods for measuring eye pressure other than tonometry. These are:

• Gonioscopy: It examines the proper functioning of the drainage fluid in the eye and a special microscope is used.
• Pachymetry: > It is a tool used to measure corneal thickness and helps diagnosis according to the thinness of the cornea.
• Visual field test: Another factor that plays a role in the diagnosis of eye pressure is the visual field of the eye.
< li>Optical coherence tomography:Used to ensure that the optic nerve tissue is healthy.

How to Measure Eye Pressure at Home?

There is a type of tonometry based on the rebound principle, also known as rebound tonometry. This tonometry is produced in ways that the person can use at home under appropriate conditions. There is no need to numb the eye and therefore it is easier to use. The probe in the device hits the cornea and returns to the device. The time it takes for the part called the probe to move away from the eye is used by the device to measure eye pressure. However, applications performed at home are not used for diagnosis. The diagnosis must be made by an ophthalmologist who is an expert in his field.

What Level of Eye Pressure Causes Blindness?

When eye pressure becomes too high, it can cause blindness as it causes glaucoma. Increasing pressure damages the optic nerve, which transmits the image in the eye to the brain, and as a result, permanent vision loss and blindness may occur. Regular eye check is essential to prevent this condition. Because glaucoma, which causes blindness and occurs as a result of high eye pressure, often does not cause symptoms before it progresses. However, when our optic nerve is damaged, it may be too late for treatment. While eye pressure in the range of 20-30 millimeters of mercury can cause vision loss within a few years, pressure values of 40-50 millimeters of mercury and above can quickly cause permanent blindness.

Does Eye Pressure Cause Headaches?

Most eye diseases accompany headaches. But eye pressure often does not cause headaches. It is common to feel pain in the eyes due to increased pressure in the eye, and this may be perceived as a headache. This pain is a condition encountered especially when the eyes are moved.

If the person notices symptoms such as eye pain or pressure behind the eye, it is necessary to apply to a health institution as soon as possible.