Is eye pressure of 23 bad?

Bobby012
Most people can't tell if their eye pressure is high, and what is normal for some may be high for another person. It is good to get your pressure checked regularly and a good ophthalmologist will put you on an eye drop to reduce pressure if needed. Some people only need one eye drop once a day to control it for a life time like my mother did. Unfortunately I developed glaucoma and am on 3 different drops every day. Let me know how it goes and I'm happy to try and answer any questions.
Don

I am going to share my crazy experience with eye pressure and hope you never do.

Around age 30, when I went for an annual eye exam to get new prescription, my doc said I have high pressure and candidate for glaucoma. I went to a hospital specialist for a few years, was the youngest patient and fell into a trap of getting laser surgery to open the pores to lower my pressure. My pressure was only 24. When I switched to an independent glaucoma specialist, and more educated, he said once you do laser surgery, you can never do it again. And over 7 yrs period of doing semi-annual eye exams with various eye tests, this doctor said I am fine, as my pressure stayed at 16-18. And in his experience, Glaucoma patient eye pressure is normally much higher, 60-80. I got duped by people that had no experience and used fear to convince me.

I am no longer a candidate for glaucoma, but when I get annual exams, the doct checks my eye pressure.
Be careful who checks your eyes. My last independent eye specialist, was Harvard trained. 🙂

I am also diabetic and have sleep apnea. This doctor also shared, based on his exp and papers he had read, there is a correlation between diabetes, sleep apnea and high pressure. The solution, lower your A1C, use a cpap so you are getting adequate oxygen and your eyes may naturally heal, reversing pressure. You have to be your own advocate, do your own research and don’t let the doctor use emotions as bait.

Like other measurements in medicine, doctors change opinions about what is acceptable or unhealthy. I think 23 used to be considered high, but it seems now some specialists think of that as a high normal. At your age to have that pressure, your doctor is doing the absolute right thing. He or she needs to recheck you and see if (perhaps due to stress you mention) the first reading of 23 was an anomaly. Don’t let a standard ophthalmologist or optometrist treat you if you are diagnosed with glaucoma. Hopefully, in your city you can find a MD who was done a fellowship in glaucoma. The treatment if glaucoma had changed a lot and you need someone in your court who knows the latest findings. Good luck. I know from personal experience that glaucoma is often over diagnosed.

Yes, that number is high. But, more importantly is the health of your optical nerves. I would see a neuro eye doctor. My grandson is 28 and his number is 30. So far, they only keep an eye on him. Be diligent with the care of your eyes.

I had high pressure for a few years and was prescribed two different eye drops. Eventually I did develop damage to my optic nerve, i.e. glaucoma. If you’re high the important thing is to get the pressure checked regularly, at least every 6 months.