High pressure

High pressure

by FLOWER1234, 5 hours ago
Hi,I had my eye pressure checked 3 month ago when they were 23 and 26 I had then rechecked yesterday and they are now 20 in one eye and 22 in the other the nurse said that was okay and to recheck in my nxt appointment.i am a bit concerned about this because I have read that high pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve,is that true?? Should i speak to the speclist or just wait for my next chk up? Am I worrying for no reason?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It is completely normal for you to call your ophthalmologist and ask him or her if there is anything to worry about.  Ask about the status of your optic nerves, corneal thickness and what are the chances that you will need to be on treatment for glaucoma in the future.  I will tell you that we generally are most concerned about the status of the optic nerve and the retinal nerve fiber layer.  Intraocular pressure is one way to follow patients but some patients can have high pressure and have perfect optic nerves and be at very low risk for glaucomatous damage while other patients can actually have low intraocular pressure but bad looking optic nerves and they are actually at very high risk.  Talk to your doctor to determine your risk for development of glaucoma.  Remember, it is much more that just the pressure number.  I think you are normal to worry especially if you were left hanging with no understanding of what to expect and how you are doing.