High Eye Pressure: Causes, Risks, and What You Can Do

When your high eye pressure, the force inside your eye that can damage the optic nerve if left unchecked. Also known as intraocular pressure, it's not something you can feel—but it’s one of the biggest silent threats to your vision. Most people don’t know they have it until they lose peripheral vision, and by then, it’s often too late to fully reverse the damage.

High eye pressure doesn’t always mean you have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that destroy the optic nerve, often due to elevated pressure inside the eye, but it’s the biggest red flag. About 1 in 3 people with consistently high pressure will develop glaucoma over time. Some people have normal pressure and still get glaucoma—called normal-tension glaucoma—while others have high pressure but never develop nerve damage. That’s why regular eye exams aren’t optional; they’re your only way to catch the problem before it steals your sight.

What causes this pressure to rise? It’s usually a drainage issue. Your eye makes fluid constantly, and it should drain out just as fast. If the drainage system gets clogged—by age, injury, genetics, or even certain medications—the fluid builds up. Some drugs, like steroids, can trigger this. So can diabetes, thin corneas, or a family history of eye disease. Even sitting for long hours or sleeping with your head down can temporarily spike pressure. And yes, stress and anxiety can play a role too—through hormones that affect fluid balance in your body and eyes.

You might wonder if your headaches or eye strain mean you have high pressure. Usually not. It’s quiet. No pain. No redness. No blurriness—until it’s too late. That’s why you can’t wait for symptoms. If you’re over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, are Black or Hispanic, or have diabetes, you need annual eye pressure checks. Even if you wear glasses, even if you think your vision is fine.

The good news? If caught early, high eye pressure is manageable. Eye drops are the first line of defense—some reduce fluid production, others improve drainage. Laser treatments and minor surgeries can help too. Lifestyle changes matter: regular aerobic exercise lowers pressure, smoking raises it, and cutting back on caffeine helps. You don’t need to overhaul your life—just make smart, consistent choices.

This collection of articles dives into what you really need to know. You’ll find how certain medications like cabergoline can affect eye pressure, how genetics influence your risk, and how mental health and fluid retention tie into eye health. We cover real-world advice—not theory. Whether you’re worried about your own pressure, helping a parent, or just trying to protect your vision long-term, you’ll find clear, practical info here. No fluff. No scare tactics. Just what works.