Worried, How common is glaucoma for a 20 year old?

Question

I was wondering. Because i went to the ohpthalmologist back in january of this year. Checked my cornea's, dilated my pupils and checked my optic nerve. He told me both my cornea and optic nerve are healthy. However he said that on my left eye the eye pressure was elevated, IOP level 26. Which can but doesn't mean it will develope into glaucoma he said. Also asked me if i had a family history of glaucoma. My family doesn't. He told me he wasn't concerned. I am going back next month for another check up.

I went because i was seeing 1 spot in both eyes. Both in the exact same location, just outside my center vision. I don't see them while im looking straight in my entire visual field. I only see them when im turning my eyes sharply to the left or right while im also turning my head at the same time. But they fade away when im no longer turning my head and eyes. They are circle in shape, but inside the circle it has a clear pattern best described like the pattern on your thumb.Opinion?

Answer 1

Glaucoma can be diagnosed at any age depending on family history.  There are many factors that can contribute to your increased pressure.  If you hold your breath while it is being checked it can make your pressure go up.  Pressure varies by time of day and the thickness of your cornea can cause false high readings.  Your doctor probably wants to re-check it to get another reading to compare it to.  Hopefully they will check the thickness of your cornea also.  You can run high pressure and not have glaucoma.  It is called ocular hypertension.  Just remember that everyone is different.  What is normal for one person may not be for another.  Some people just run high pressures and it doesn't cause any damage to their optic nerves.  Make sure you keep your appointment and have it re-checked, but don't worry too much about it right now.

Answer 2

I don't know your weight or what size you are, but I've heard that glaucoma and high blood pressure are tied in.  Also, your eye lens could be thicker than normal giving a higher reading.