High eye pressure: what it means and why you should care

High eye pressure (ocular hypertension) often shows no symptoms but quietly raises your risk of glaucoma, a leading cause of permanent vision loss. Normal eye pressure usually falls between 10 and 21 mmHg. If your pressure is higher, your eye doctor will watch you more closely or start treatment to keep the optic nerve safe.

If you’ve been told you have high eye pressure, don’t panic. Many people with raised pressure never develop vision loss. But you do need regular checks and, sometimes, treatment to keep things steady.

How doctors check and what they look for

Eye pressure is checked with a test called tonometry. Your doctor will also look at the optic nerve with a slit lamp or fundus exam, and test your peripheral vision with a visual field test. Sometimes they’ll use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure nerve thickness. These tests together tell whether pressure is harming your optic nerve or your field of vision.

If your tests are borderline, your doctor may repeat them over time. A single high reading doesn’t always mean trouble—pressure can vary through the day. That’s why follow-up visits matter.

Practical steps: treatments and daily care

Most treatments start with eye drops that lower pressure. Common classes include prostaglandin analogs and beta-blockers. Drops are effective if you use them exactly as prescribed—missed doses reduce protection. If drops don’t do the job, your doctor may offer a laser procedure (like trabeculoplasty) or surgery to create a new drainage route.

There are simple daily habits that help. Keep regular appointments, use drops on schedule, and tell your doctor about steroid medications—steroids can raise eye pressure. Manage general health: high blood pressure and diabetes affect your eyes, so control those conditions. Avoid heavy straining (like intense weightlifting or Valsalva maneuvers) if your doctor warns you. Sleeping with your head slightly raised can lower pressure overnight for some people.

Know the risk factors: being over 60, family history of glaucoma, severe farsightedness or nearsightedness, previous eye injury, and long-term steroid use increase chances of pressure problems. If you fit any of these, ask for an eye pressure check even if vision seems fine.

High eye pressure is manageable when caught early. Stay on top of testing, follow treatment plans, and ask questions at appointments—quick action protects your vision more than anything else.