Management of Highly Elevated Intraocular Pressure

The patient with acutely elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is usually symptomatic, whereas IOP that has gradually increased, even to relatively high levels, usually does not produce symptoms. Common symptoms from acutely elevated IOP include headache, usually dull or aching, blurred vision, perception of colored haloes, and nausea or vomiting. These symptoms of acutely elevated IOP may be accompanied by signs including conjunctival injection, microcystic corneal edema, pupillary abnormalities, and absence of central retinal arterial or venous pulsations. Although glaucomatous optic nerve damage or visual field loss may not be present in cases of acutely elevated IOP, we still refer to these as forms of glaucoma.

Duke Scholars

Author Pratap Challa Ophthalmology, Glaucoma