What to Expect If You're Diagnosed with Ocular Hypertension

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.

My least favorite test was the Polaroid taken of my optic nerves. For that test, I had to look into a machine and keep my eye open while a picture was taken, with flash, of each of my optic nerves. This was done after my eyes were dilated and thus I saw spots for several minutes afterward. However, my ophthalmologist explained that the photographs would serve as a baseline and would be compared to future pictures taken of my optic nerve to determine the extent of any damage that might occur between examinations.

Having high eye pressure, but not diagnosed with glaucoma

If you are diagnosed as having ocular hyptertension, it is imperative for vision health to keep all follow-up appointments. Expect to have the same tests at each visit as the doctor will compare past test results with current ones to determine if there have been any concerning changes in vision. In my case, my ocular hypertension is being treated with a wait-and-see approach. Because no damage has been detected over the past few examinations with the ophthalmologist, I need only to return on a yearly basis for routine glaucoma screening tests and do not need further intervention. However, every case is unique. Always follow the doctor's recommendations regarding the frequency of appointments.

Sources:
Personal experience
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/hypertension.htm
http://vision.about.com/od/glaucoma/tp/testsforglaucoma.htm