High eye pressure (ocular hypertension) is caused by an imbalance where the eye produces too much aqueous humor (fluid) or the fluid's drainage system (trabecular meshwork) becomes blocked or inefficient, leading to fluid buildup and increased pressure that can damage the optic nerve, often linked to genetics, age, eye injuries, certain medications (like corticosteroids), diabetes, and even stress.
Raised eye pressure happens as the result of a buildup of fluid that flows throughout the inside of the eye. This fluid, called the aqueous humor, usually drains through a tissue located at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. This tissue is called the trabecular meshwork.
How to Lower Intraocular Eye Pressure
Caffeine. Some studies suggest caffeine increases intraocular pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. You'll want to limit the amount of (or replace) coffee, green tea, dark chocolate, soda, and energy drinks in your diet.
It might not seem obvious, but nausea and vomiting can sometimes signal a serious eye condition called acute angle-closure glaucoma. This condition is an ocular emergency, and when these symptoms appear alongside eye pain, blurred vision, or headaches, they often point to a sudden and dangerous rise in eye pressure.
Your healthcare provider can tell if the pressure inside your eye is high when they do their testing. In some cases, you may feel eye pain with movement of your eyes or touching your eyes. Even though some eye problems may create headaches or dizziness, this doesn't usually happen with ocular hypertension.
Early signs of an eye stroke (retinal artery occlusion or ischemic optic neuropathy) typically involve sudden, painless vision loss or changes, most often in only one eye, including blurred vision, blind spots, floaters, or a dark shadow covering part of your sight. It often happens upon waking and is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention to potentially save sight and identify a risk for a full stroke.
Careful exercise: It's important to stay active, but if you're at an increased risk for high eye pressure, some exercises may increase that risk further. Discuss your exercise plans with your eye doctor to make a plan. Less caffeine: Caffeine could increase eye pressure, so consume it in moderation.
For example, vitamin C has been studied for its potential to lower intraocular pressure, while omega‑3s may improve retinal blood flow. Supplementing these isn't about being “deficient,” it's about being proactive. Even small gaps can accelerate pressure-related damage if left unchecked.
Oranges. Oranges offer a high dose of vitamin C, which is known to support the health of blood vessels in the eyes. Regular vitamin C intake through citrus fruits has been linked to reduced IOP. Enjoy an orange a day, or drink freshly squeezed orange juice.
Heavy caffeine intake should be advised against due to its transient elevations in IOP, especially in genetically predisposed patients or those with a positive family history of glaucoma. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to many systemic complications and increased risk of glaucoma.
The pressure in your eye will start to reduce 3 to 4 hours after using the eye drops. Latanoprost reaches full effect after 8 to 12 hours, and the reduced pressure will last for at least 24 hours.
Applying a warm compress to your eyes can help increase blood flow and relax the eye muscles. It can also promote the drainage of excess fluid, reducing eye pressure. Soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring out the excess water, and place it over your closed eyes for 5-10 minutes.
Here are some ways to lower eye pressure naturally:
What Is Normal Eye Pressure? Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, like the way a thermometer measures temperature using mercury. Normal eye pressure is usually considered to be between 10 and 20 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Having eye pressure that's too low or too high can damage your vision.
High intraocular pressure doesn't always lead directly to glaucoma. Along with other things, high IOP is considered an important risk factor for the disease.
A number of studies have been published suggesting a correlation between the level of serum vitamin D3 and glaucoma or intraocular pressure (IOP). The latter is known to be a major risk factor for glaucoma and is the main target of glaucoma treatment.
Vitamin D is a nutrient the body needs, along with calcium, to build bones and keep them healthy. The body can absorb calcium only if it has enough vitamin D. Calcium is a major part of bones. Vitamin D also has many other uses in the body. It supports immune health and helps keep muscles and brain cells working.
The magnesium-treated patients also had a significant reduction in mean IOP from initial values and a significantly lower mean IOP than the control group by the end of the trial (p < 0.05).
What causes ocular hypertension?
What does high eye pressure feel like? High eye pressure, also known as ocular hypertension, often doesn't cause noticeable symptoms. However, some individuals may experience symptoms such as mild eye discomfort, headaches, or changes in vision.
The rule of 5 is a simple rule for detecting retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) change on spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT), in which a loss of 5 μm of global RNFL on a follow-up test is considered evidence of significant change when compared with the baseline.
Other signs and symptoms may include:
How is an eye stroke diagnosed? An eye stroke is diagnosed during an eye exam. Your eye doctor will use specialized tools and imaging devices to obtain a clear view of your inner eye and identify signs of retinal fluid or damage.
These symptoms include blurred or double vision, a droopy eyelid, a dilated pupil, pain above or behind one eye, weakness or numbness, he said. “If you experience these symptoms, contact your primary care provider quickly, and you can be screened using a brain scan,” Bradbury said.