The term “intraocular pressure” refers to the relationship between eye pressure. Periodic measurement of your IOP is crucial for maintaining the health of your eyes and is used to diagnose eye illness.
For instance, glaucoma is clinically indicated by ocular hypertension (increased IOP), which can be treated to lower the pressure. Eye pressure might change every hour, every day, and every week. During eye checkups, measuring your intraocular pressure (IOP) is a crucial indication of the condition of your eyes.
What is normal eye pressure? Have you recently measured your ocular pressure?
We hear this often – Your doctor will examine the pressure inside your eye at a standard checkup. But do we know what this really means? If not, then worry not for we will be learning A to Z about eye pressure and 5 natural ways to reduce the unhealthy increase of eye pressure.
In this article, our main priority is to know what is normal eye pressure, but before that let us know why our eyeballs are inflated, and what fluid keeps them in this shape.
Why are our Eyeballs Inflated?
Do you know? Our eyeballs are literally like sports balls! As the eyeballs are inflated just like a ball is being inflated by air, but in the case of our eyeballs, it is inflated for the fluid that fills them. The substance with which our eyes are inflated is known as aqueous humour.
Our eye pressure increases if there is more fluid inside our eye, meaning the fluid is pressing more forcefully on the “walls” of the eye. While, if there is less vitreous humour, the eye diminishes and loses shape, similar to a basketball with inadequate air. “Eye pressure,” also referred to as “intraocular pressure”.
Continue reading to know exactly what is normal eye pressure.
What is Normal Eye Pressure?
Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements can help diagnose current eye diseases and give you information about the health of your eyes. When necessary, fresh fluid is injected into the eye to relieve the pressure from the aqueous humour. It establishes a homeostatic equilibrium that controls ocular pressure.
So, what is normal eye pressure? A pressure between 10 and 20 (mmHg) is considered normal eye pressure.
IOP is not a constant value; it varies within and between individuals. Your IOP cannot be compared to other people’s. Your eye health depends on having regular eye checkups.
This entails a thorough physical examination, which includes tonometry, a diagnostic test for calculating IOP.
The lens and portions of the iris and cornea are among the components in the front of the eye that the aqueous humour is meant to nourish. Keeping the eye’s pressure stable so it does not collapse also preserves its structural integrity.
The aqueous production rate must match the aqueous outflow rate through the TM to maintain normal ocular pressure. The drainage system or TM must remain unobstructed and clear to keep IOP at normal levels.
Now, that we know what is normal eye pressure, let us now know how to measure our eye pressure to check if it is normal or not.
How is Eye Pressure Measured?
Eye pressure is frequently assessed during periodic or urgent eye exams, but it may also be examined in urgent care or primary care doctor’s office after an eye injury.
- To numb your eyes, you put eye drops in them.
- Then, the doctor or assistant will examine the eye’s front surface using a tool that emits a blue light and applies gentle pressure to your look.
- The ophthalmologist examines the pressure inside each eye.
The most common type of eye pressure examination is the Goldmann applanation test.
A flat-tipped probe is gently put against the eye’s surface to measure your ocular pressure, and this procedure has long been regarded as the gold standard in the field.
Tono-Pen and the iCare tonometer are two other non-contact techniques. These diagnostic procedures, though less accurate, force air against your eye with a device that gently flattens the cornea.
It’s interesting to note that because each person’s eye pressure varies, there is no one correct eye pressure. Because of this, a healthy ocular pressure range is 10 to 21 mmHg. Vision changes may result from ocular pressure above or below this range.
Treatment for Eye Pressure
Both pharmaceutical and non-pharmacologic alternatives are available to help reduce and normalize ocular pressure.
Your healthcare professional will decide on all treatment options following a thorough eye exam and medical history review. Medication to control eye pressure has unwanted effects and may interact with other prescription meds. So, it’s crucial to take all prescribed medications exactly as directed and to talk to your doctor about any other medicines, vitamins, or supplements you may be taking.
It would be best to check your eye pressure at regular comprehensive eye examinations whether or not you are diagnosed with glaucoma because it must be detected and treated early to prevent vision loss.
Ocular hypertension is used when the IOP is higher than average. High eye pressure is a significant risk factor but does not directly cause glaucoma. An individual with a raised IOP is known as a glaucoma suspect. Your doctor may even start you on oral drugs that will lower your eye pressure by reducing the fluid generated in your eyes if eye drops are ineffective.
Another popular treatment for these patients is glaucoma surgery. While it does not stop IOP from rising again, this option will assist in returning it to ordinary. Eye surgery is a painful procedure and thus it should be considered carefully and only after open communication with a licensed eye surgeon.
What Happens when Ocular Pressure is Increased?
If glaucoma is found and the patient’s eye pressure is excessively high, the optic nerve may be harmed, resulting in visual loss.
The side vision is typically the first to be impacted, and the changes may be so slow and thus are not observed until significant vision loss has already occurred.
The management of glaucoma involves controlling eye pressure significantly. The most common symptom of glaucoma-related visual impairment is loss of central vision, which will eventually occur if left untreated. Glaucoma, though, can be controlled if caught early. Most glaucoma sufferers can maintain their vision with medical and surgical treatment.
What causes Ocular Hypertension?
Four primary conditions might raise eye pressure inside the eye.
1. Aqueous Humor Overproduction:
Aqueous humour is a transparent, watery fluid in the eye’s iris. It cleans the lens, transports oxygen and nutrients, and supports pressure maintenance.
Through the pupil, the fluid fills the space between the iris and cornea before exiting the eye through the mucous membrane. The body occasionally makes too much aqueous—increased eye pressure results from aqueous production greater than its drainage capacity.
2. The Aqueous Drainage is Slow:
The water builds up and drains too slowly if the drainage system doesn’t operate as it should. Although the body can produce the right amount of fluid, inadequate drainage can still lead to ocular hypertension.
3. Injuries To the Eyes
Aqueous is related to this as well. Injuries that interfere with or otherwise upset the equilibrium of aqueous production and drainage can lead to high ocular pressure.
If you’ve ever been hurt, you should let your eye doctor know because a trauma could affect your eyes months or even years after the actual harm occurs.
Other Reasons for Ocular Hypertension
Numerous diseases are associated with ocular hypertension, including pigmentation dispersal sickness, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and corneal arcus.
Variations in Eye Pressure
There are hourly, daily, and weekly variations in eye pressure. Therefore, a biased estimate of your usual IOP can only be obtained by measuring your ocular pressure during an examination.
Your eye health is at risk if your IOP levels fluctuate significantly throughout the day, especially if you have glaucoma. Slight variations in eye pressure are common, but it’s important to discuss how to monitor your IOP, whether at home or during more frequent eye checkups.
When scheduling your subsequent examination, keep in mind that eye doctors typically advise measuring eye pressure in the morning.
How to Reduce Eye Pressure without Drops? 5 Natural Ways
One of the most common disorders that affect the eyes is ocular hypertension. It happens when the intraocular pressure (a measure of fluid pressure) in the eyes is higher than usual. If ocular hypertension is not treated, glaucoma and even permanent vision loss may develop, making it crucial to take action.
High intraocular pressure without vision loss or an abnormality in the optic nerve, which would be signs of glaucoma, is known as ocular hypertension.
1. Changing One’s Diet and Lifestyle
People with illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure frequently develop insulin resistance, which triggers the body to produce more insulin.
To address this issue, patients are advised to stay away from specific foods that can cause an abrupt rise in insulin levels.
Some foods include sugar, grains (whole and organic), bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and potatoes.
2. Engaging self in 30 Minutes of Exercise
Discuss it with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you to begin a fitness program.
Exercises that lower insulin levels in the body, such as aerobics, jogging, brisk walking, biking, and strength training, can protect your eyes from ocular hypertension.
Stay away from head-down workouts and positions since they can raise intraocular pressure. This also applies to certain yoga poses, such as headstands.
3. Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids should be added
To increase your DHA levels, try to consume two to three meals which consist of fish every week.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that keeps the retinal cells functioning normally and prevents ocular pressure from rising.
Salmon, tuna, sardines, shellfish, and herring are cold-water fatty fish containing DHA (and other omega-3 fatty acids).
4. Eat more Lutein and Zeaxanthin-Rich foods
Carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin act as antioxidants to shield the body from free radicals.
The immune system is weakened by these free radicals, which increases the risk of infection and visual nerve injury. Lutein and zeaxanthin may aid in reducing eye pressure by minimizing oxidative damage near the optic nerve.
Kale, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and raw egg yolks—are excellent sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
5. Limit or Avoid Caffeine
It’s advised only to consume caffeinated meals and beverages in moderation because consuming a lot of caffeine can raise ocular pressure.
Reduce your intake of all caffeinated foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, chocolate, and others. To determine if this lowers your ocular pressure, you could even wish to cut these foods out of your diet for a month or longer.
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Key Takeaways
Thus after reading this article we now know what is normal eye pressure and what to do so that we can naturally maintain eye pressure. On a regular and timely basis go for an eye checkup to know your eye pressure. See if your measurement falls within the range of 10 and 20 mmHg, if it exceeds 20 mmHg then you can follow the natural ways as discussed in this article to lower your eye pressure.
Also, keep in mind that, eye pressure can be impacted by various factors that often impact overall health, such as exercise, medication, or alcohol consumption.
And before you reach any conclusion, you must go for expert advice and take steps as immediately as possible.
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