Ocular Hypertension Symptoms

Eye Damage

• Ocular hypertension may cause physical damage to the nerves of the eye if the disorder is left untreated. Once ocular hypertension has progressed to early stage glaucoma, the optic nerve can become damaged due to decreased blood flow caused by the high pressure in the eye. Blood vessels and arteries in the eye may also become damaged if ocular hypertension is allowed to progress to advanced glaucoma.
  
  

Peripheral Vision Loss

• People with ocular hypertension may experience a gradual loss of peripheral vision as their disease progresses to the early stages of glaucoma. Low vision causes a loss of vision of objects in peripheral line of sight. The loss of peripheral vision is progressive and mid to late stage glaucoma can result in a complete loss of peripheral vision in some people.
  
  

Risk Factors

• African Americans are more likely to develop glaucoma as a result of ocular hypertension than other races or ethnicities and should receive regular examinations by an ophthalmologist to evaluate and monitor eye pressure. People with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, may also be more prone to developing glaucoma and should seek regular eye care to prevent loss of vision. People who are elderly have a greater risk of ocular hypertension than younger adults, and changes in vision should be reported to a doctor rather than being accepted as a part of old age.
  
  

Research

• The National Eye Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, began a clinical trial on the treatment of ocular hypertension in 1994. An experimental eye drop was given to some participants to evaluate whether the treatment could prevent them from developing glaucoma as a result of their high eye pressure. The National Eye Institute scientists found that for people with a high risk of developing glaucoma, the eye drop treatment could decrease their risk when compared to a placebo eye drop.
  
  

Considerations

• The eye drops used to treat ocular hypertension are costly and may not be fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance plans. The treatment may not prevent ocular hypertension from developing into glaucoma, although it may delay the progression of the disease. People who are unable to tolerate or administer eye drops may not be suited to this type of treatment for ocular hypertension.