Intraocular pressure: how to measure with glaucoma?

Millions of people in the world suffer from increased intraocular pressure. Meanwhile, this symptom often signals the approach of a serious eye disease - glaucoma. After 40 years of glaucoma, approximately 7% of the population is observed, and from the age of 75 - 7-8% of people.How to measure intraocular pressure? What are the increased or decreased pressure indicators?We will tell about this in our material.

Definition of disease

Glaucoma (in the lane. with the Greek. - "azure "the color of sea water") - severe damage to the organ of vision, received its name in view of greenish color, which is acquired by an enlarged and motionless pupil in the stage of an acute attack disease.

Hence the second name of this pathology - "green cataract".

Today, glaucoma is a chronic eye disease characterized by a constant or periodic increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) with the development of trophic disorders in pathways of outflow of intraocular fluid, in the retina and in the optic nerve, which lead to the appearance of typical defects in the field of vision and development of the marginal depression of the optic disc nerve.

Until now, the precise causes and mechanism of the development of glaucoma have not yet been established, so the disease is often detected even in the acute stage, when the consequences are irreversible.

Features and symptoms of glaucoma:

• Increased intraocular pressure;
• Characteristic lesion of optic nerve fibers- glaucomatic optic neuropathy, which leads to its atrophy.

Glaucoma can occur at any age, even in a newborn, but the prevalence of the disease is highest in the elderly and senile. This disease occupies one of the first places among the causes of incurable blindness.

Definition of eye pressure

Intraocular refers to the pressure exerted by the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye and the vitreous body on the eye wall.Intraocular pressure has a certain fixed value, due to which the normal shape of the eyeball is maintained and normal vision is ensured.

The norm of eye pressure

The state of the organ of vision depends on the parameters of intraocular pressure. Due to the constant pressure of the liquid inside the eye, its size and shape are maintained. If the pressure index changes, the optical system of the eye will not be able to function in normal mode.

The human eye is a complex system with a clear self-regulation. Intraocular pressure should not fall below 18 mm Hg. Art. and do not rise above 30 mm Hg. Art.As soon as this mechanism of regulation gets lost in one direction or another, vision deteriorates and ophthalmic diseases develop.

Intraocular pressure normally has a constant value and the healthy person does not change. But it may fluctuate slightly during the day.

In the morning, immediately after sleep, the indicator of intraocular pressure is on higher figures.Most likely, this is due to the horizontal position of the body and the predominance of the vagus nerve at night.

By evening, intraocular pressure gradually decreases. The difference between evening and morning indices can be no more than 2 mm Hg. Art.

Only under the condition of a healthy indicator of intraocular pressure is it possible to maintain normal metabolism in the eyeball.

Deviations

What are the most common causes and symptoms of decreased and increased intraocular pressure?

Low eye pressure

Causes:

• Hypotension, that is, drop in blood pressure. Today it is proved that intraocular pressure is associated with blood pressure. With a general hypotension, the pressure in the eye capillaries decreases, as a result of which the intraocular pressure decreases.
• Penetrating eye trauma.In severe injuries, intraocular pressure decreases, and vision deteriorates, resulting in atrophy of the eyeball.
• Inflammatory diseases of the eyeball: inflammation of the choroid of the eye (uveitis), inflammation of the iris (iritis).
• Retinal disinsertion.In this case, the mechanisms of formation of the intraocular fluid are disturbed.
• Dehydration(noted for severe infections and inflammatory diseases, for example, with cholera, dysentery, peritonitis).
• Ketoacidosis- an acute condition that occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus.
• Severe liver disease.

Symptoms of reducing intraocular pressure:

• The patient loses the usual shine of the eyes, there is a feeling of dryness.
• Zapadenie eyeballs (observed in severe cases).
• Gradual deterioration of vision.
• With a long course of the disease, the eye gradually decreases in size.Over time, this becomes noticeably externally.

With a decrease in intraocular pressure, there is a rather meager symptomatology. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by only one sign - impaired vision. There are no symptoms such as pain and dizziness.

Increased eye pressure

Depending on the duration of the disease, there are 3 types of blood pressure increase:

1. Transient, in which the intraocular pressure increases once for a short time, but then again returns to normal.
2. Labile:VGT rises periodically, but then returns to normal again.
3. Stable when the pressure is increased constantly.

Causes

The most common causes of transient increase in intraocular pressure:

• Arterial hypertension.
• Overwork of the eyes, for example, after a long work at the computer. This increases the pressure in the arteries, capillaries and veins of the eyeball. At the same time increases intracranial pressure.
• Stresses, violent emotional reactions.
• Heart failure and some kidney diseases, in which fluid retention in the body is noted.
• Graves' diseaseand such endocrine pathologies as Itenko-Cushing syndrome (high content of adrenal hormones in the blood), hypothyroidism.
• In some women, this symptom may occur during a violently leakingmenopause.
• When poisoningsome chemical compounds and medicines.

IOP is regulated by the nervous system and some hormones. If these regulatory mechanisms are violated, it may increase. Often this condition later becomes glaucoma. But in the initial stages, there may be no symptoms at all.

Secondary increase in IOP is a symptom of various eye diseases:

• Tumor processes;
• Inflammatory diseases: irites, iridocyclitis, uveitis;
• Injuries of the eye.

The main reason for the constant increase in IOP is glaucoma. Most often, glaucoma develops in the second half of life. But it can also be of an innate character. In this case, the disease is known as a dropsy eye.

Symptoms

With a slight increase in intraocular pressure, symptoms may be absent altogether. Violation can be suspected only at a reception with an ophthalmologist.

Many people suffering from increased intraocular pressure, have nonspecific signs, such as:

• Headaches in the region of the temples;
• Pain in the eyes (which is often not given due importance);
• Increased eye fatigue;
• Discomfort during long work at the computer, in a poorly lit room, when reading books with small print;
• Redness of the eyes;
• Visual impairment.

To persistently increase intraocular pressure in glaucoma characterized by the following symptoms:

• Severe pain in the eyes;
• Headaches of migraineous nature;
• Progressive deterioration of vision;
• Iridescent circles, the so-called "flies" before the eyes;
• Disturbance of twilight vision;
• Reducing the fields of vision - the patient sees objects worse "out of the corner of the eye."

With an acute attack of glaucoma, IOP can increase to 60 - 70 mm Hg. Art. In this case, there is a sharp, severe pain in the eye, falls visual acuity, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. This condition requires immediate medical attention.

Increased intraocular pressure leads to atrophy of the optic nerve. As a result, vision is reduced, sometimes until it is completely lost.The affected eye becomes blind.If only a part of the nervous beams are atrophied, the field of vision changes, and whole fragments may fall out of it.

As a result of atrophy or rupture of the retina, its detachment may occur. This condition is also accompanied by significant visual impairment and requires surgical treatment.

Methods of measuring pressure

IOP can be measured in several ways.

The method of independent "palpation" of the eye

Intraocular pressure can be controlled independently, however, in this case we get only an approximate result. This is done by touch. Through closed eyelids, a slight pressure should be applied. Normally, the finger should feel the elastic ball, which is slightly squashed. If the eye is solid, like a stone, and does not deform in any way when pressed - then the likelihood that intraocular pressure is increased is high.

In the event that the spherical form is not felt at all, and the finger "falls through" into the eye, it indicates a strong decrease in intraocular pressure.

Measurement of IOP by means of special devices

Accurate measurement of IOP is carried out in specialized clinics for the appointment of an ophthalmologist. To this end, the method of Maklakov, the Russian researcher, who himself developed this method, is used.

Before carrying out tonometry of the eye, contact lenses should be removed (if the patient wears them). The doctor then performs anesthesia for the eyes.In them twice (at an interval of 1 minute) are instilled drops of Dicaine - an anesthetic, which acts in the same way as Lidocaine and Novocain. Then the patient is offered to lie down on the couch, fix his head and ask to look at a certain point. A small colored cargo is placed on the eye. This is unpleasant, but it does not hurt at all. Pressing on the eye, the load slightly deforms it. Degree of deformation depends on how high IOP is. A small part of the paint will remain on the eye, and then it will simply wash off with a teary liquid.

IOP is measured on each eye twice. After that, make an impression of the remaining paint on the cargo. The intensity of color is determined by the intraocular pressure in both eyes.

The Maklakov device

There is a portable version of the Maklakov device.The doctor presses the patient's eye with a device that looks like a ballpoint pen. This procedure is also safe and painless, since anesthesia is pre-arranged.

The Maklakov device

Non-contact tonometry

There is also contactless tonometry. In this case, do not put the load on the eye.Measurement of intraocular pressure is carried out by means of a stream of air directed into the eye. This technique is less accurate.

Prevention of glaucoma

One of the main preventive measures is a regular visit to the ophthalmologist, who will measure eye pressure.

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Spasm of accommodation by code ICD-10

Is contagious conjunctivitis described in this article.

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Methods of preventing eye pressure disorders:

• Daily exercise for the eyes;
• Full rest;
• Regular exercise;
• High-quality food;
• Reception of vitamin complexes;
• Moderate consumption of beverages high in caffeine;
• Refusal of alcohol.

Remember that your eyes get tired of excessive tension. Give them a rest, do not overstrain the sight, sitting at the computer.

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conclusions

So, we found out that intraocular pressure should be maintained at a normal level. Otherwise, an insidious and dangerous disease may develop - glaucoma, which can lead to a complete loss of vision. Regularly visit an ophthalmologist, especially if your work is tied to eye strain. Do not forget that your eyes need rest and performing daily exercises.

Read why red eye proteins and what the phrase implies is the correct wearing of lenses.