Dr. Hagin, your opinion, please

For the past nine years, I have had IOP's in the 21-23 range.  My eye doc always told my optic nerve looked normal.  I had a visual field test in 2003, it was normal.  This February I had my annual eye exam  and was told my IOP was now 24/25.  Still, optic nerve looked normal.  I went back in early April due to some allergy complaints.  Eye doc wanted to check my IOP's again.  This time 27/28.  Visual field test scheduled for May 14.

My eye doc tells me he is suspicious but did say I could have high IOP's and never develop glaucoma.

What is my risk level at this point?  Could this recent reading be an aberration?  If my visual field test comes back normal again, would you recommend drops or would you wait and watch.

Thanks.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It is very important to know cornea thickness (pachymetry) as this will have major ramifications on your prognosis.  If thickness is good, optic nerve normal, visual field normal then you may have ocular hypertension.  Read about it after google search.  However if thickness is very thin, or optic nerve getting abnormal and or visual field worsening then you could have glaucoma and might need to be on treatment.  Not enough info from what you are telling me.  Consider seeing a glaucoma specialist.

MJK MD

[picman]

Thank you, Doctor Kutryb.  I'm curious, can the cornea become thicker with age and does eye pressure, like blood pressure, move up and down throughout the day?

Thanks.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The corneal thickness can increase with age but usually only if you have corneal dystophy.  IOP can and does fluctuate during the day, yes.