What Causes High Eye Pressure?

High eye pressure is associated with a condition called intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure is the pressure caused by the renewal of fluids in the eye. An imbalance in the production and proper drainage of these fluids is what causes high eye pressure. Blocked drainage canals cause elevated eye pressure, which is a risk factor for glaucoma.

• A person’s eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A normal range for eye pressure is from 10 to 21 mm Hg. An eye pressure higher than 21 mm Hg presents a risk for developing glaucoma.


• Glaucoma is sometimes associated with high eye pressure, as elevated eye pressure leads to optic nerve damage. However, patients with normal eye pressure can also develop glaucoma.


• Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. Glaucoma patients experience a particular pattern of progressive optic nerve damage that may begin with a subtle loss of their peripheral vision.


• If glaucoma is not diagnosed and goes untreated, it can lead to a loss of central vision and blindness.


• Ocular hypertension occurs when the eye pressure is greater than 21 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension is not a disease, but it is a term that describes individuals who are basically glaucoma suspects.


• An ocular hypertension diagnosis does not mean that the patient has glaucoma. Rather, it means that an ophthalmologist should routinely examine the patient to ensure there is no permanent optic nerve damage and loss of vision. Some people can tolerate higher than normal eye pressure without developing glaucoma.


• Studies have found that some forms of exercise can decrease intraocular pressure. The exercises studied included walking, jogging and running. The studies also indicate that yoga, tai chi, pilates and aerobics may also be effective at reducing intraocular pressure.