Will high IOPs cause glaucoma

I am a 45 yr-old woman who has been given the label of glaucoma suspect due to IOPs that range from 26 to 31 mmHg over the last 3 years. My Dr. has not suggested treatment to lower them yet, but I still question whether it is going to be safe to continue with regular vision having these IOPs over the next 20 plus years. What are the chances of developing glaucoma in the future. I am ok with not treating now, since there is no cupping of the optic nerve and no change in visual field tests, but I feel like my Dr. is afraid to say what may come in the future.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear rshawsart,

No doctor can predict your exact chance of developing glaucoma although your risk will be based upon whether you have a family history and may be influenced by the thickness of your cornea.  I would recommend that you find out the results of your testing, visual field, optic nerve imaging, corneal thickness and continue to ask this question.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[sally987]

Hi rshaw and Everyone.

I am called a glaucoma suspect also.  My IOP is normal, but there appears to be the start of optic nerve damage.  They call mine Low Tension (or Normal Tension) glaucoma.  I don't know much about it or how it is treated, since the pressure is already normal.  If anyone has any insight on our glaucoma problems, please let us know.  I am a 54 yo white female.