Occular Hypertension Basics

Ocular Hypertension

In this article

• Ocular Hypertension Overview
• Ocular Hypertension Causes
• Ocular Hypertension Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Exams and Tests
• Ocular Hypertension Treatment Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Next Steps Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords

Support Groups and Counseling

Educating people with glaucoma is essential for medical treatment to be successful. The person who understands the chronic (long-term), potentially progressive nature of glaucoma is more likely to comply with medical treatment.

Numerous handouts about glaucoma are available, two of which are listed below.

• "Understanding and Living with Glaucoma: A Reference Guide for People with Glaucoma and Their Families," Glaucoma Research Foundation, (800) 826-6693.

• "Glaucoma Patient Resource: Living More Comfortably with Glaucoma," Prevent Blindness America, (800) 331-2020.

Also, see For More Information and Web Links.

For More Information

American Academy of Ophthalmology
655 Beach Street
Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120
(415) 561-8500

Glaucoma Research Foundation
490 Post Street, Suite 1427
San Francisco, CA 94102
(800) 826-6693

Prevent Blindness America
211 West Wacker Drive
Suite 1700
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(800) 331-2020

The Glaucoma Foundation
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700
New York, NY 10038
(212) 285-0080

Lighthouse International
111 East 59^th Street
New York, NY 10022-1202
(212) 821-9200
(800) 829-0500

Web Links

American Academy of Ophthalmology

Glaucoma Research Foundation

Prevent Blindness American

The Glaucoma Foundation

Lighthouse International

Multimedia

Media file 1: Parts of the eye.

Media file 2: Elevated eye pressure is caused by a build-up of fluid inside the eye because the drainage channels (trabecular meshwork) cannot drain it properly. Elevated eye pressure can cause optic nerve damage and vision loss.

Synonyms and Keywords

OHT, Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study, OHTS, high pressure inside the eye, glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, primary open-angle glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, POAG, intraocular pressure, IOP, increased IOP, elevated IOP, high IOP, increased intraocular pressure, elevated intraocular pressure, high intraocular pressure, high eye pressure, elevated eye pressure, increased eye pressure, optic nerve, optic nerve damage, visual field defect, vision loss, blindness, ocular hypertension