The Difference Between Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma

Ocular Hypertension, as its name indicates, is when the pressure in our eyes increases to a level more than normal. Glaucoma is when the optic nerve and vision change typically as a result of ocular high-pressure but occasionally with normal eye pressure. Patients with ocular hypertension should be observed more closely than patients with normal eye pressure. Patients with high eye pressure are called “glaucoma suspects”. Glaucoma suspects are patients whose eye pressure is more than 21mmHg with no optic nerve damage.

High intraocular pressure can develop in causing damages to the optic nerve and Glaucoma. If left untreated it will lead to advanced glaucoma reflected by a progressive visual field loss starting from the periphery. Advanced glaucoma cases may lead to total blindness. Patients treated for high ocular pressure need to be monitored closely with regular comprehensive eye exams and visual field perimetry. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) by the National Eye Institute demonstrated that the rate of untreated ocular hypertension patients in developing glaucoma was 9.5 percent in 5 years and 22 percent at 13 years, or about 2 percent per year. The study proved that topical medication does reduce the incidence of glaucoma. Participants in the study were monitored for five years and the study revealed that eyedrop treatment reduced the development of glaucoma by more than 50 percent.

Even though patients with ocular hypertension can usually feel the pressure behind their eyes, however, it is always recommended to regularly have a comprehensive eye exam and ensure that intraocular pressure is being measures. The administration of some drugs may induce acute angle-closure glaucoma specifically characterized by sudden onset of visual disturbance and a mid-dilated pupil. Any suspected acute angle-closure requires urgent medical intervention as appropriate and prompt management potentially can be sight-saving.