Pressure in my eyes

[Springminded]

I had a opticians appointment today and he said that I have high pressure in my eyes and writing to my GP. I didn't know this was even a thing but anyone else have it please and what does it tend to cause. I am also having a blood pressure 24 hour test soon as was a bit high when the nurse took a reading at 150/100 would this be connected at all.

There is a relationship between blood pressure and IOP. But it's not that significant. However, high blood pressure can lead to other eye conditions developing, so it's important that you get it down if it is consistently high with the 24hr monitor.

Increased IOP (eye pressure) can lead to you developing an eye condition called glaucoma, medication can be used to lower the pressure and reduce the risk of you either getting glaucoma or suffering visual loss. That's why the optometrist has referred you to your GP.

It sounds like a lot to take in eye pressure and blood pressure issues can definitely feel worrying. Elevated eye pressure, also called ocular hypertension, sometimes leads to glaucoma if untreated, which can affect vision over time. The good news is that catching it early, as your optician has done, gives you the best chance for monitoring and management.
As for the blood pressure, there’s some evidence linking high blood pressure to increased eye pressure, but it’s not always a direct cause. The 24-hour blood pressure test should give your GP a clearer picture of your cardiovascular health and help in planning next steps for both issues. Try not to stress too much in the meantime, as staying relaxed can help with both pressures.

My pressure is usually at the higher end of okay, which is apparently because I have thick corneas. It's also a family history- mother and sister also had/have high pressure. No glaucoma, though. I just get my eyes checked every two years. I have been referred in the past, but they weren't worried.

Because I've been referred in the past, sometimes get a Goldman's check, which is where they put fluorescein (yellow dye) in youreyes, then take a close up look with a blue light and a lens right at the eye. (Not all opticians can do this.) I actually prefer this to the puffy air test, which is what they usually test for pressure with, and for reasons I don't know turns me into a blinking, weeping mess that makes it hard to get any reading, let alone an accurate one...

But anyway - get the extra checks, but there's no need to get worried at this point.

Do you feel any pressure OP or was it just picked up on the tests?

I have had the opposite problem where I feel pressure in my eyes but everything tests normal. No headaches or blurred vision or flashing, just a sensation that my eyes are heavy/bulging. I had the additional opticians tests where everything was found to be normal about 5 years ago was referred to an ophthalmologist for further testing (all normal) and even sent to a neurosurgeon for a scan which was normal too.

@Lalalahoho increased eye pressure is only painful when it’s very, very high in angle closure (when the drainage angles are completely blocked). You’d also get symptoms like blurred vision, halos, nausea, awful headaches.

Have you tried dry eye drops, lack of moisture over the eyes surface when you blink can cause a heavy feeling.

Thankyou all for your replies. I've had a few headaches but that's very recent they only lasted a week. My eyes do feel puffy and have done for a month or so. Other that nothing else. I'll get some eye drops for tired eyes and see if that helps. I have a doctor's appointment next week luckily

I have had high pressure detected on a few tests so I was given some drops to take daily, which very quickly brought the pressure levels down to an acceptable amount.

I had high pressures in both my eyes and if left unchecked can lead to glaucoma, particularly if you have a family history of it which I do.

I'm now on eyedrops for the rest of my life but the pressures are coming down.

My advice about tired eyes needing dry eye drops was for @Lalalahoho

even moderately high symptoms won’t cause any symptoms at all.

Thank you @theeyeofdoe. Will try the drops.