Intraocular Pressure: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Affects Your Eyes

When your eye feels tight, sore, or just off, it might not be fatigue—it could be your intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside your eye that helps maintain its shape and function. Also known as eye pressure, it’s not something you can feel directly, but when it climbs too high, it silently damages the optic nerve, the bundle of nerves that sends visual signals from your eye to your brain. This damage is often the first sign of glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that cause irreversible vision loss, usually due to high pressure inside the eye.

Most people with high intraocular pressure don’t notice anything until their vision starts fading—usually from the sides inward. That’s why regular eye exams are non-negotiable, especially after 40. A simple, painless test called tonometry measures this pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Normal range? Between 10 and 21 mmHg. Anything above 21 doesn’t automatically mean glaucoma, but it’s a red flag. Not everyone with high pressure develops nerve damage, and some people with normal pressure still get glaucoma. That’s why doctors look at more than just the number—they check the shape of your optic nerve, your cornea thickness, and your peripheral vision.

What raises your risk? Family history, age, diabetes, long-term steroid use, and being of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent. If you’re on steroids for asthma or skin conditions, your eye pressure might creep up without you knowing. Even your sleep position can play a role—sleeping on one side for hours can temporarily spike pressure in that eye. The good news? If caught early, high intraocular pressure can be managed with eye drops, laser treatments, or minor surgery. You don’t need to wait for blurry vision to act.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on medications, treatments, and lifestyle factors tied to eye pressure and glaucoma. Some posts dive into how certain drugs affect pressure. Others compare treatments or explain how conditions like diabetes or inflammation play into it. Whether you’re worried about your own numbers or helping someone else, these articles give you the facts—not the fluff—so you can make smarter choices for your vision.