OPHTHALMOLOGY

Q: The eye drops I take to manage my glaucoma have caused the skin around my eyes to darken. Is there any way to camouflage this or is there a drop that doesn’t have this side effect? A: Pressure within the human eye, called intraocular pressure or IOP, is based on the balance between production and drainage of the aqueous humor fluid in the front part of your eye. A balanced IOP is required to keep the eye in shape, provide nutrients to the intraocular structures, and help the eye function normally. The normal range for IOP is between 10 and 21 and it can vary throughout the day. High eye pressure, if left untreated, may damage the optic nerve and could result in vision loss or blindness, a condition known as glaucoma. Monitoring IOP is essential to the early detection of glaucoma which is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Keep in mind that high eye pressure alone does not cause or indicate glaucoma; however, it is a risk factor. So what can cause one to have high eye pressure? One cause is when the aqueous humor in the eye doesn’t drain properly and fluid builds up inside the eye. In this case, eye drops may be prescribed to lower and control IOP. Another cause is the side effects of certain medications such as steroids. If you have been prescribed steroid medications for any reason, consult with your eye doctor to see how frequently you should have your IOP checked. An injury or trauma to the eye can also cause high eye pressure that may be temporary or long term. Make sure to tell your eye doctor about any such incidence, past or present, to help in monitoring your eye health. Other eye conditions may also contribute to high eye pressure including pseudo ex foliation syndrome, pigment dispersion syndrome, or thinner-than-normal corneas. If you have any of these conditions, your eye doctor may recommend that you have more frequent eye exams and IOP measurements. Although anyone can develop high eye pressure, race, age, and family history may also put one at risk for high eye pressure. Checking and monitoring your eye pressure, in particular as you age, is an important part of a comprehensive eye exam to help assess and take care of your eye health. See you eye doctor on a regular basis, or as often as recommended, for IOP pressure checks, dilated exams, and testing as needed. Gregory Eippert, MD 9485 Mentor Ave., #110, Mentor 44060 440-255-1115 www.opivision.com