WOMEN MORE VULNERABLE TO OCULAR HYPERTENSION


               

     One of the most vexing issues facing the eye world is the matter of intraocular pressure and its relationship to glaucoma (an eye defect caused by an imbalance in intra-ocular pressure of the eye). Optic Nerve damage is present mostly in eyes with elevated IOP and its rare to find glaucoma in eyes with low IOP.

      Hence, persons with elevated pressure and no evidence of glaucoma can described as having ocular hypertension.
      Medically, ocular hypertension can be defined as medical condition that places patients at risk for developing glaucoma to us optic neuropathy and retinal vascular events.
      Women have a higher prevalence of ocular hypertension but glaucoma is more present in men.
Prevalence: OHTN is more prevalent in whites. (17.5%) and about (12.4% to 2.2%) in blacks. It is least prevalent among Asians about (1.4%).
Pathology: A simple pathology study has looked at 8 posts more eyes with a history of an elevated IOP and normal visual fields with the goal of evaluating the optic nerve axon count and diameter. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups.
        Associations:
·        Obesity could be associated with OHTN.
·        Sex.
·        Blood pressure minus IOP/Perfusion pressure.
·        Time of the day.
·        Season of the year.
·        Diabetes.
·        Height.
·        Dark in pigmentation.
·        Higher body mass.
·        Female sex.
·        Smoking.
                From an ocular standpoint, myopia is a recognized risk factor for PAOG and OHTN. A population screening from Israel found more myopes with IOP greater than 20mmHg.
                       Problems Associated with OHTN.
·        A risk factor for developing primary open Angle glaucoma (POAG).
·        Optic disk abnormality and hemorrhage.
·        Coronary disease.
·        Development of glaucomatous visual field loss.
·        Retinal vein occlusion.
                       Intervention and Cure.
·        Prophylactic pressure reduction.
Conclusion:
    Elevated IOP without evidence of glaucomatous field loss/ optic damage is associated with an increased risk of ocular compilations including (POAG) and Retinal vein occlusion.
       Note: For Retinal vein occlusion, it appears that prior history glaucoma is associated with central vein occlusion, but there is no clear evidence of what pressures are unsafe and who should receive prophylactic treatment. IOP intraocular pressure, OHTN means ocular hypertension, POAG means primary open glaucoma.
                                                                                                 
                                                           
                                                                        
                                                                                                 
                                                           
                                                                        


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