How Blood Pressure Increases the Risk for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and can cause blindness if left untreated. There is no known cure yet for this eye disease, but medication or surgery can prevent further vision loss.

Common risk factors for glaucoma include elevated eye pressure, family history, age and race. In this post, your local eye doctors from Insight Vision Center Optometry discusses how blood pressure contributes to glaucoma.

Eye Pressure and Blood Pressure

According to studies, higher eye pressure increases the risk of glaucoma, but it doesn’t cause the eye disease alone. There’s evidence that suggests ocular perfusion pressure, or the relationship between eye pressure and blood pressure, is a major risk factor for glaucoma.

For example, when you have low blood pressure with elevated eye pressure, the blood finds it harder to reach the eye to supply oxygen, provide essential nutrients and get rid of waste products. Individuals with normal eye pressure and naturally low blood pressure may also experience restricted eye blood flow. This may also apply to hypertensive patients who take medication to lower their blood pressure.

The human body normally adapts to changes in blood pressure to maintain good circulation in the brain and eyes. Some people lack this ability so their tissues don’t receive sufficient nutrition, leading to damage.

If you have any risk factors for glaucoma, it’s best to have your eyes regularly checked to monitor your vision. Insight Vision Center Optometry eye doctors specialize in orthokeratology (ortho-k), vision therapy and primary eye care.

Treatment 

Low ocular perfusion may be treated by lowering eye pressure or increasing blood pressure. Though there are studies supporting the treatment of glaucoma by lowering eye pressure, there isn’t sufficient evidence that increased blood pressure helps with glaucoma.

Talk to your eye doctor regarding the best treatment option for you. Visit Insight Vision Center Optometry for your eye care needs. We offer vision treatments like ortho-k and LASIK surgery. Call us at (714) 486-3315, or schedule an appointment online. We cater to patients in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA.