That sounds simple enough, except for the fact that eye pressure varies – sometimes quite dramatically. “Pressure is highest typically in the morning, when you're just waking up, and lowest in the afternoon,” says Johnson.
The pressure of the eye (IOP) fluctuates according to the body position, usually, during 6am-8am, the pressure of the eye is high and lowest in the later part of the day.
Therefore, it is important to speak with your eye doctor to determine the best way to monitor your IOP— either at home, or during more frequent eye exams. Most of the time, eye doctors recommend measuring eye pressure in the morning, so keep that in mind when you schedule your next exam.
Blood pressure tends to downregulate during sleep hours in the early morning, which is also the time of day where IOP tends to be the highest. These two opposing factors can have a duplicative effect in reducing OPP during nocturnal hours, which may allow increased damage to the ocular nerve head.
IOP varies considerably during the 24-hour cycle.
Fluid buildup, eye trauma, medications, and other eye conditions are all potential causes of an increase in eye pressure. Typically, one of the keys to reducing it is treating the root cause. It's important to remember that higher-than-normal pressure doesn't guarantee severe problems.
Reading induces a significant increase in IOP, which was more evident in a supine versus sitting position. No differences in IOP increase were found between men and women. Greater levels of discomfort in the back and neck were reported when reading in a seated position.
Normal levels of pressure range from 12 to 22 millimeters of Mercury (mm Hg) in your eye, so anything above that range signals that not enough fluid is escaping. This type of test is usually done in almost every eye doctor visit.
Intraocular pressure (IOP) levels were measured in participants lying flat, using multiple pillows, and using a bed-raising mechanism. The study showed that eye pressure was lower when the bed head was elevated at 30 degrees compared to when lying flat.
Drinking a quart of water in less than five minutes has been shown to increase intraocular pressure; instead, advise your patients to drink small amounts of water often to stay hydrated.
Age-related change in IOP
In the cross-sectional analysis, average IOP increased from 12.7 mm Hg in subjects in their 20s to 14.0 mm Hg in those in their 40s. Then IOP decreased from 13.9 mm Hg in those in their 60s to 13.1 mm Hg in those in their 70s.
The results indicated that people with a high anxiety-state and/or a high trait anxiety showed increases in intraocular pressure and heart rate.
Other types of exercise can raise the pressure inside the eyes as well, including inverted situps, crunches and squats. Many of these are done on an inversion table, which rotates the legs above the head, increasing eye pressure. Several yoga poses also incorporate inversion, such as: Dolphin pose.
iCare HOME Tonometer is the only FDA approved eye pressure device available to patients for measuring eye pressure (intraocular pressure) at home that does not require using prescription eye drops to take your own pressure.
Failing to sleep for enough hours can contribute to increased pressure in the eye. This is because the eyes do not get enough time to rehydrate and recover. This can lead to straining of the eyes, which in turn triggers glaucoma.
If your eyes become tired with prolonged concentration, you can rest them periodically - but please don't worry that you have done them any harm. Similarly, longer distance viewing such as driving, watching TV or going to the movies does not harm your eyes. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Can using a computer cause glaucoma? The Glaucoma Research Federation, a US based charity feels that the use of computer screens is not directly linked to glaucoma. Excessive computer use may put you at risk for other eye complaints such as dry-eyes.
The research supports this guidance: In one study, aerobic exercise (such as walking, swimming, biking, or working out on stationary machines) at a brisk level for 30 to 45 minutes three to four times a week lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) and improved blood flow to the brain and the eye.
These include any position where your head is lower than your body such as the inverted yoga pose. Outdoor activities like scuba diving and bungee jumping should also be avoided, as they can raise eye pressure. These are some of the things that you need to avoid when you have glaucoma.
You can't cure ocular hypertension, but your provider can treat and monitor the condition. People who have ocular hypertension may be at a higher risk for developing glaucoma, but not everyone who has ocular hypertension will automatically develop glaucoma.
Simple carbohydrates can elevate insulin levels, raising the blood pressure and your IOP. Caffeine and alcohol consumption can also raise your IOP. Also, drinking large volumes of water or other liquids at a time may raise the intraocular pressure of your eyes.