Intraocular Pressure: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Connects to Your Eye Health

When we talk about intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside the eye that helps maintain its shape and function. Also known as eye pressure, it's not something you feel — but when it’s too high, it can silently damage your optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss. Most people don’t know their intraocular pressure is elevated until they have a routine eye exam. That’s because high eye pressure doesn’t cause pain, redness, or blurry vision in its early stages — unlike other health issues you might notice right away.

It’s closely tied to glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that destroy the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure. Not everyone with high eye pressure develops glaucoma, and some people with normal pressure still get it — but keeping pressure in check is still the best way to reduce your risk. The normal range is between 10 and 21 mm Hg. Anything above 21 is called ocular hypertension, a condition where eye pressure is high but no nerve damage has occurred yet. Think of it like high blood pressure — it’s a warning sign, not a diagnosis, but one you can’t ignore.

Doctors measure intraocular pressure using a tonometer — a quick, painless test done during a standard eye exam. If your pressure is high, they might check your optic nerve, visual field, and cornea thickness to see if damage has started. Some medications, like steroids, can raise eye pressure. So can genetics — if a close relative has glaucoma, your risk goes up. Age matters too: after 60, your chances of developing pressure-related eye damage increase significantly.

What’s interesting is that intraocular pressure isn’t just about glaucoma. It also plays a role in how your eyes respond to surgery, how well certain drugs work, and even how conditions like diabetes or kidney disease affect your vision. That’s why so many of the articles in this collection focus on medications, side effects, and health conditions that can influence eye pressure — from diuretics used for fluid retention to corticosteroids that cause swelling, including around the eyes. You’ll find real examples of how drugs, diet, and chronic diseases interact with this hidden factor in your eye health.

You won’t find magic fixes here — just clear, practical info on what raises pressure, what lowers it, and how to protect your vision before it’s too late. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, taking long-term meds, or just want to stay ahead of eye problems, the posts below give you the tools to ask the right questions and make smarter choices for your eyes.