Glaucoma -- What are "safe" eye pressures?

Question

My sister was diagnosed with glaucoma 12 years ago. When I told her my eye pressures at a recent screening were 21 and 22, she was concerned. She thinks I should get to an opthamologist right away. Is this really a great concern?

Answer 1

probably not.  although pressures vary for each patient and individual case...and people with existing optic nerve damage probably need the lowest possible pressure, MOST healthy people would be ok with a pressure of 21-22.  

you really wont know until/unless you get seen by someone.  and having a strong family history of glaucoma is certainly a strike against you.

but "pressures" mean less & less.  those of us who know all about glaucoma are putting less emphasis on what "pressure" you are and more on what your nerve fibers look like (we use a GDx).  b/c what does a pressure tell you?  not much in the absence of a known corneal thickness or optic nerve evaluation.

most of the time in most patients with a healthy optic nerve, i usually dont even raise my eyebrows until it gets to be like 25...ESPECIALLY if the pressure was taken with an "air puff" (NCT).  those typically over-estimate by quite a bit.

so if you go in for an exam, go in b/c you have a strong family history of glaucoma...not b/c your pressure was 21 at a screening.

also...almost no glaucoma is emergent.  so is this of "great" & immediate concern?  probably not.  if you've been to any eye doctor in the last year or so and they didnt say anything to you about glaucoma, then you dont have it.  if its been quite awhile since you've been to an eye doc, then yes someone should see you.  but it doesnt need to be an "ophthalmologist" IMO