Eye pressure should normally be the same for people of any age and gender. There may be a slight difference between the two eyes, but this does not apply to pathology.
If a person has a decrease in visual acuity, then you need to check the eye pressure, and also conduct the appropriate therapy, which is prescribed by the attending doctor. Among the main signs of a violation, one can single out the presence of painful sensations, feelings of fullness, and increased eye fatigue.
Often, a similar pathology is observed in people with diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. In the advanced stage, this pathology leads to a sharp drop in vision.
Reasons for high blood pressure
This phenomenon is quite common, especially often observed in people over 45 years old. There are high and low blood pressure. Among the main causes of increased eye pressure, the development of glaucoma can be distinguished. In addition, factors such as:
- increased muscle tone;
- violation of the functioning of the vessels of the eyes;
- anatomical deviations of the construction of the eye chambers;
- inflammation of the choroid and iris.
In addition, a similar manifestation can be of such varieties as:
- stable - pressure is constantly above normal;
- labile - periodic increase;
- transient - has a short-term course.
The transient type can be triggered by a number of different factors, in particular such as:
- stressful conditions;
- overwork;
- kidney disease
- hormonal imbalance;
- menopause period.
Constant increase in pressure can provoke progressive glaucoma. This disease mainly manifests itself in old age and is fraught with dangerous violations. In addition, a similar pathology can also be a hereditary disease.
High ophthalmotonus can be triggered by fluid retention during the course of certain kidney diseases or heart failure. In addition, one of the reasons may be thyroid disease, poisoning with certain medications, menopause in women, tumor processes, inflammation and eye injuries.
Be sure to conduct a comprehensive examination and treatment, as various complications can occur, up to complete blindness.
Pressure Reducing Factors
If eye pressure is lowered, the reasons for this may be due to:
- the operation;
- eye injury;
- diabetes mellitus;
- retinal detachment;
- underdevelopment of the eyeball.
Such a violation is very rare, but at the same time it poses a much greater threat to the health of the organs of vision. In the absence of timely comprehensive treatment, this can lead to significant visual impairment. If atrophy of the eyeball occurs, then the pathological changes will become irreversible.
Hypotension is often accompanied by a sharp decrease in visual acuity for a fairly short period of time, as well as a significant outflow of eye fluid, as a result of which the eyes become dry and blinking is difficult.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of increased eye pressure are pronounced, which is why you can independently determine the course of the violation. To do this, slightly press on the eyeballs through the eyelids. If they are hard, then the pressure is increased, and if soft - low.
Among the signs of eye pressure, one can distinguish a feeling of fullness. In addition, you can notice a split in front of the eyes, as well as the formation of spots. Other signs of violation include:
- pain in the eyes;
- fast overwork;
- feeling of intense pressure.
Often there is a computer visual syndrome, caused not only by overwork, but also by increased pressure. There may be cases when the symptoms are not pronounced enough, but are observed along with other pathologies. For example, with the occurrence of arterial hypertension or endocrine diseases, the vessels of the cornea or retina are very often destroyed, which leads to a feeling of fullness inside the eye.
However, persistent visual impairment can be seen. Against the background of diabetes, the structure of capillaries changes. They become more brittle and rapidly begin to collapse at the slightest mechanical impact. Moreover, if a person has normal pressure, then diabetes can cause complete blindness.
Symptoms in hypertension may completely disappear after the cessation of the crisis or remain partially. In this case, you need to treat the underlying disease that provoked intraocular changes.
Diagnostics
How to treat eye pressure? The attending doctor will help to resolve this issue after conducting a comprehensive examination. Therapy is prescribed by an ophthalmologist, however, depending on the cause of the violation, a consultation of doctors such as:
- therapist;
- traumatologist;
- endocrinologist;
- neurologist;
- cardiologist;
- nephrologist.
The doctor asks the patient in detail about the available symptoms, and then appoints an examination of the fundus. There are 3 main research methods, each of which is prescribed taking into account the individual characteristics of the eyeballs and the presence of certain diseases. Diagnostics implies:
- pressure measurement by palpation and orientation method;
- use of a Maklakov tonometer;
- non-contact verification.
You can measure the pressure by palpation. To do this, close your eyes and lower them down. The fingers are located on the forehead, and the index fingers should be on the eyelids. In this case, with one finger you need to hold the eyelid, and with the other to feel the pulse of the sclera. If the latter is practically not felt, then this may indicate increased pressure. Normally, the pulse should be felt quite clearly.
In addition, you can check the pressure level using a Maklakov tonometer. Such a device makes it possible to obtain data on the state of organs by imprint, but at the same time the cornea is somewhat flattened. Each eye is tested separately. Such a measurement method makes it possible to obtain the most accurate data. The only drawback is the feeling of slight discomfort.
Verification is carried out in a non-contact way. Using a special tonometer, you can determine the presence of violations by the direction of the air flow. After that, special sensors display the result on the monitor. Such a verification method is completely safe and painless.
Pressure measurement
Measurement of intraocular pressure is carried out using special instruments, in particular, such as: pneumotonometer, Maklakov tonometer, electrotonography. When applying the Maklakov technique, no special training is required. If a person wears lenses, then they will first need to be removed.
Before starting the procedure, the doctor administers anesthesia. For this, 2 drops of Dikain anesthetic are instilled into the patient’s eyes with a break of one minute. Then the patient is laid on the couch, his head is fixed in one position, and then he must look strictly at one point. A small colored load is placed on the eye.
Under the weight of such a load, the eye is slightly deformed. The severity of such a process depends on intraocular pressure. A similar procedure is carried out 2 times with each eye. Then, on a specially prepared sheet of paper, an imprint of the paint remaining on the load is made. The intensity of this color determines the required indicators.
Pressure measurement can be carried out using a pneumotonometer by determining normal limits. There is also another very good and effective method of measuring pressure, namely electrotonography. It consists in measuring the amount of intraocular fluid and the characteristics of its outflow.
Treatment features
A method of treating eye pressure is selected purely individually, depending on the cause of the violation. At an elevated level, conservative techniques such as drops or ointments that normalize fluid outflow or nutrition of eye tissues are used as therapy. In addition, injections may be used.
To normalize the well-being of the patient, it is necessary to do special physical exercises for the eyes, and it is also recommended to use alternative methods. In the absence of the required effect of conservative therapy, surgical intervention is indicated.
Microsurgical technologies are the most radical method of treating eye pressure. In this case, goniotomy is used in combination with goniopuncture, as well as trabeculotomy. In this case, a dissection of the iris of the retina with the posterior plane of the cornea is performed.
Drug treatment
To eliminate the symptoms of eye pressure, treatment is carried out with the use of medications. With an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma, drugs such as:
- Pilocarpine solution;
- Dorzolamide;
- "Timolol maleate."
All of these drugs are injected into the conjunctival sac. In addition, systemic therapy is required. Inside, drugs such as Glycerol and Acetazolamide are used. “Mannitol” or “Furosemide” may be administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
To stop an acute attack and prevent repeated relapses, you need to perform a laser iridectomy in both eyes. If traditional methods fail to eliminate the attack within 12 hours, surgery is indicated.
To increase the outflow of intraocular fluid, such drops from eye pressure are indicated as “Xalatan”, “Tafluprost”, “Travatan”. Such funds are quite effective, and immediately after instillation it will be possible to normalize the patient’s well-being. However, it is worth remembering that they have certain disadvantages, in particular, a change in the color of the iris of the eyes, the rapid growth of eyelashes and redness of the eyes. In addition, drugs such as:
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors;
- beta blockers;
- cholinomimetics.
Beta-blocker drugs are designed to reduce the amount of intraocular fluid. Their action begins about 30 minutes after instillation in the eyes. These drugs include Okamed, Timolol, Arutimol. These drugs have certain side effects, in particular such as a decrease in heart contraction, as well as bronchospasm.
Cholinomimetics reduce eye muscles and narrow the pupil, which significantly increases the outflow of lacrimal fluid. In particular, "Pilocarpine", "Carbocholine" are prescribed. Among the side effects, pupil constriction can be distinguished, which significantly limits the visual field, and also provokes the occurrence of pain in the head.
With reduced eye pressure, symptoms and treatment can be very different. In particular, such drugs as “Xalatan”, “Arutimol”, “Okamed” are used for this. Often the cause of this problem is the penetration of a foreign body into the eye. Treatment involves cleansing and applying drops to prevent the penetration of infection through injured areas.
Folk techniques
To feel good without the use of medications, you need to understand exactly how to reduce eye pressure at home with the help of folk methods. First of all, it is important to create favorable conditions for quick and successful treatment. With increased pressure and glaucoma, it is necessary to exclude the effect of too bright light on the eyes, as well as prolonged exposure to complete darkness.
If the first symptoms of eye pressure occur, treatment at home should be carried out immediately. Solutions for external use will show effectiveness, in particular such as:
- aloe decoction;
- infusion of nettle, lily of the valley;
- an infusion of eyebright.
All of these tools can be used for washing the organs of vision. Natural compounds help eliminate the infection and have a beneficial effect on the eyes. You can resort to the use of healing ointments, which you want to rub in whiskey. Such funds include a product prepared on the basis of honey or celandine. It is worth remembering that the treatment of eye pressure at home with traditional methods is much safer than with medications, but the effect of such therapy is much lower. In addition, you must first consult with your doctor to prevent deterioration of well-being and complications.
In your usual diet you need to include a mixture of beet, carrot, and parsley juices. In the resulting composition, you need to add a few drops of vegetable oil. To normalize well-being and increase visual acuity, it is useful to consume blueberries or its extract in capsules.
Gymnastics
Many are interested in how to relieve eye pressure using special gymnastics. This will allow the eyeball to relax, as well as normalize the outflow of intraocular fluid. Exercises such as:
- frequent blinking of the eyes for a minute;
- rotation of eyeballs with closed eyes;
- rotation of the eyes.
It is necessary to fix the gaze on the object located nearby, and then gradually translate it into the distance. A similar exercise should be repeated several times. It is required to extend your arms in front of you, move your fingers, carefully watching them. Gradually you need to move your palms as close to your eyes as possible.
A contrast eye shower is recommended daily. It is very easy to do. To do this, wash yourself, directing a stream of water on your eyes. The temperature should be changed from warm to cold. At the final stage, you need to rinse your eyes with cold water. Such a shower helps strengthen the vessels of the eyes.
Preventive actions
To minimize the risk of an increase in eye pressure, simple enough preventive measures must be observed, namely:
- as often as possible to be in the fresh air;
- limit the intake of salted and fried;
- take a short rest from working at the computer;
- devote enough time to sleep and rest;
- Do not abuse alcohol;
- give up smoking;
- maintain normal water balance in the body.
In addition, it is recommended to regularly conduct special exercises for the eyes. This will help eliminate fatigue, restore visual function, and normalize eye pressure. Equally important is nutrition. All food consumed must be healthy and fresh. In autumn and spring, it is advisable to additionally take special vitamin complexes.
As preventive measures, you should not forget to visit an ophthalmologist every year to check your vision. At the first signs of visual impairment, you should consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and subsequent treatment.