What to Expect If You're Diagnosed with Ocular Hypertension

High Eye Pressure Without Glaucoma

I was in my early 30s when I was diagnosed with ocular hypertension, or high eye pressure. I knew that high eye pressure was related to glaucoma, which, if left untreated or undetected, can lead to vision loss. I didn't meet any of the typical risk factors for high eye pressure or glaucoma such as being over the age of 40, being of African-American lineage, having a family history of glaucoma or being extremely nearsighted or farsighted. Thus, a diagnosis of ocular hypertension took me completely by surprise.

What tests should I expect to have if I have high eye pressure?

The optometrist who discovered my increased eye pressures urged me to make an appointment with an Ophthalmologist, a licensed medical doctor concentrating in eye disorders. Expect the ophthalmologist to perform a thorough examination to investigate the cause of high eye pressure by running a battery of glaucoma tests. Common tests include tonometry, or the measuring of intra-ocular pressure (IOP) and ophthalmoscopy, where the doctor views the patient's optic nerve with magnifying lenses.

A visual field test may also be performed as part of a comprehensive examination for those who have high eye pressure. The visual field test involves sitting in a dark room, peering into a machine and using a hand held clicker to indicate when a flashing light is seen. The visual field test is performed on each eye separately and can take several minutes. This test requires an intense focus and concentration to obtain the most accurate results because the patient is required to keep their eye trained on a specific focal point for several minutes while lights flash peripherally.

Another test used is pachymetry, which involves measuring the thickness of the corneas. The thickness of one's cornea can make actual eye pressures either higher or lower than measured by a tonometer. At a past examination, my ophthalmologist adjusted my high eye pressure down a few points due to thicker than normal corneas, placing me closer to the normal range.