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The invisible threat of glaucoma: Why is intraocular pressure a risk indicator?
As we all know, eye health is crucial to people’s daily lives, but most people’s understanding of intracerebral pressure is still relatively weak. Intraocular Pressure (IOP) refers to the pressure of the fluid inside the eyeball, and this indicator is crucial for assessing glaucoma risk. Glaucoma is a common eye disease that, if left untreated, may eventually lead to vision loss or blindness. This article will take an in-depth look at intraocular pressure and the factors that control it, and learn why this indicator is an important indicator of glaucoma risk.
Physiology of intraocular pressure
The formation of intraocular pressure is due to the production and excretion of aqueous humor. Aqueous humor is produced by the ciliary body and drains through the trabecular meshwork and grape sheath. Compared with the relatively fixed volume of the vitreous body at the back of the eyeball, the regulation of intraocular pressure relies more on the dynamic changes of aqueous humor.
Intraocular pressure (IOP) refers to the fluid pressure inside the eyeball and represents the health of the eye.
How to measure intraocular pressure
Often, ophthalmology professionals use a tonometer to measure intraocular pressure. With the development of technology, there are now measurement methods that do not touch the eyes, such as measurement through the eyelids and sclera, and this new measurement method is not affected by corneal biomechanics. Traditional intraocular pressure measurement will be affected by the thickness and stiffness of the cornea, which means that for some people, after vision correction surgery, the measured intraocular pressure may appear to be normal, but in fact it may hide potential risks.
Classification of intraocular pressure
Ophthalmologists generally define normal intraocular pressure as between 10 mmHg and 20 mmHg, with the average being about 15.5 mmHg. Any intraocular pressure higher than the normal range is called ocular hypertension. If the intraocular pressure is lower than 5 mmHg, problems such as fluid leakage and even eyeball atrophy may occur.
Ocular hypertension is the most important risk factor for glaucoma, and early identification is crucial for prevention and treatment.
Multiple factors affect intraocular pressure
Daily changes
Intraocular pressure changes during the day and night. Under normal circumstances, the daytime variation range is 3 to 6 mmHg. However, for patients with glaucoma, their 24-hour intraocular pressure change pattern may be completely different from that of healthy people.
The impact of lifestyle
Whether exercise affects intraocular pressure is currently inconclusive, but some studies have pointed out that certain exercises may cause changes in intraocular pressure. In addition, playing certain musical instruments, such as wind instruments, has been associated with fluctuations in intraocular pressure.
Effects of drugs
The effect of drugs on intraocular pressure is also significant. For example, the use of certain anesthetic drugs can momentarily increase intraocular pressure, while certain drinks such as alcohol and coffee can slightly affect intraocular pressure. Glycerin is sometimes used as an initial treatment for acute intraocular hypertension.
With a sudden increase or decrease in intraocular pressure, tiny bubbles may appear in the eye, which in some cases can cause damage to the retina.
Clinical significance
Understanding changes in intraocular pressure is critical for early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. Ophthalmologists use intraocular pressure measurements to determine whether a patient is at risk for glaucoma. In addition, intraocular pressure is not only affected by physiological factors, but may also be affected by genetics, anatomical structure and other aspects.
Conclusion
Intraocular pressure is an important ophthalmological indicator, and continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure changes can play a vital role in preventing glaucoma. With the development of science and technology, the technology for measuring intraocular pressure is becoming more and more advanced, providing better protection for patients' eye health. However, as we move toward healthier lives, what else can we do to protect our eyesight?
