high eye pressure in 18yr old

hi,
so i've gotten my eye pressure measured twice and both times, the pressure in both eyes has been 26. my doctor referred me to a glaucoma specialist to decide whether i should go on the drops and to do more tests.
he says i'm at slightly higher risk of developing glaucoma because i'm extremely nearsighted (-9.5).....

anyways, just wondering. how much should i worry about this? is there anything i can do to not let the pressure go up any higher? for example, not use the computer too much (because i'm on it at least 12hrs a day).

i'm just worried because i'm only 18... and it's already slightly high.

thanks in advance!!!!

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

"Normal" eye pressure usually ranges from 10-21.  There are however many people that have eye pressures above this and considered ocular hypertensives who do not develop glaucoma.  You need to make sure you see a glaucoma specialist who is a medical doctor (ophthalmologist with fellowship training in the subspecialty of glaucoma).  There are many variables that need to be taken into account including which method of pressure checking was used, whether you have a family history of glaucoma, how thick your corneas are, etc.  Some important tests also need to be performed to measure the health of your optic nerve and nerve fiber layer as well as visual field testing.  You should not worry too much, but make sure you see a glaucoma specialist from now on given glaucoma is a potentially blinding condition if it develops and it is treatable if diagnosed appropriately.  Just make sure your glaucoma specialist is an ophthalmologist/MD.