Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma
What is the normal value for eye pressure?
The average value of eye pressure in the population is 15 mm Hg (mm Hg = millimeters of mercury). It is lower in young people, often around 10 mm Hg and tends to increase in older people. Eye pressure above 20 mm Hg is considered abnormal. However, the eye pressure figure alone does not tell if there is glaucoma. Many people whose pressure is slightly above 20 mm Hg do not have any disease and often only require simple monitoring without treatment. Conversely, there are patients whose pressure has never exceeded 20 mm Hg and who have glaucoma, in the context of so-called "normal pressure" glaucoma or low pressure glaucoma. When normal pressure glaucoma (with damage to the optic nerve or visual field) is observed, it is advisable to lower the eye pressure below average.
