High intraocular pressure is arguably one of the most common eye problems. High intraocular pressure occurs when the fluid pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure) is higher than usual. If high intraocular pressure is not treated with appropriate attention, it may cause glaucoma or even permanent visual impairment. So we must actively deal with intraocular pressure problems. High intraocular pressure usually has no symptoms and requires a visit to the hospital to be diagnosed. Eye drops are generally the first choice for treating high intraocular pressure, but they are not suitable for everyone.

Improve Eating and Living Habits

Reduces insulin levels in the body. People who are obese, diabetic, or have high blood pressure are often resistant to insulin, causing their bodies to secrete more insulin. High intraocular pressure is also related to high insulin levels in the body.

• To address high insulin levels, patients often need to avoid foods that cause insulin spikes, including sugar, grains (whole grains and organic grains), bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and potatoes.

Get more exercise. Doing more exercises such as aerobics, jogging, brisk walking, cycling, and strength training can lower insulin levels in the body, thereby reducing the risk of high intraocular pressure.

• Insulin is a hormone that helps the body move sugar from the blood into cells to provide energy for the cells. If we consume this energy through exercise, the blood sugar levels in the blood will decrease, and the insulin levels will also decrease. After the insulin level is reduced, the stimulation of the ocular sympathetic nerve is also reduced, and there is no high intraocular pressure.
• Try to exercise for 30 minutes every day, 3 to 5 times a week.
• Avoid any movements or positions that require the head to be lowered, as these movements can increase intraocular pressure. Certain yoga poses and handstands fall into this category.

Take dietary omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that can maintain good visual function and prevent high intraocular pressure.

• Deep-sea fish such as sardines, tuna, salmon, shellfish, and herring are rich in DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. It is recommended to consume this fish two to three times a week to supplement DHA.
• Of course, you can also take fish oil capsules or seaweed supplements to supplement DHA. The optimal dosage is 3000-4000mg of standard fish oil capsules per day or a 200mg seaweed DHA supplement.

Eat more foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that have antioxidant effects and can help the body fight free radicals. Free radicals can affect the body’s immune system, leading to infection and damage to the optic nerve.

• Lutein and zeaxanthin can also reduce oxidative damage to the optic nerve and reduce intraocular pressure. It is important to know that any damage to the optic nerve can increase intraocular pressure, so it is important to protect the optic nerve.
• Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin include kale, spinach, broccoli, and raw egg yolks. Try to have some of these foods with your meals every day.

Don’t eat trans fats. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce intraocular pressure, but foods rich in trans fats can prevent omega-3 fatty acids from functioning and contribute to high intraocular pressure.

• Therefore, it is best to reduce your intake of foods rich in trans fats. Such foods include processed or grilled foods, fried foods, ice cream, microwave popcorn, and ground beef.

Eat more antioxidants. Dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries can help improve overall eye health by nourishing capillaries and increasing the supply of nutrients to the nerves and muscles of the eyes. Dark berries work this way because they are rich in antioxidants, which strengthen blood vessels, thereby reducing blood vessel bleeding and damage.

• Aim to eat at least one serving of dark berries every day.
• Lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant used to prevent and treat eye diseases including glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and other eye diseases. The typical dosage is to be taken twice daily.
• Raspberries are often used to improve visual acuity and combat degenerative eye diseases such as ocular hypertension. One study investigated a product containing raspberries and Pycnogenol (a pine bark extract) and found that it did reduce intraocular pressure in clinical trials.
• Grape seed extract is also an antioxidant and is effective in reducing ocular hypertension caused by glare. Grape seed extract is commonly used to combat aging and improve night vision.

In places where marijuana is legal, some people use it to lower eye pressure. Cannabis is available in edible types, sublingual pads, capsules, tablets, and aromatherapy oils. Cannabidiol (CBD), a component of cannabis, does not affect nerves and can lower intraocular pressure. 20-40mg of cannabidiol (CBD) can effectively treat ocular hypertension.

Surgical Treatment

Understand the need for surgery. Sustained high intraocular pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to glaucoma. Long-term glaucoma can even lead to blindness. Doctors generally use eye drops combined with oral medications to treat glaucoma. But if this method doesn’t work, then surgery can be performed to lower the intraocular pressure.

• Glaucoma surgery can help fluid flow in the eye, thereby lowering intraocular pressure. Sometimes, one surgery is not enough to completely lower eye pressure and cure glaucoma. Patients may need several surgeries.
• There are many types of surgeries to treat glaucoma, and doctors will choose one based on the patient’s condition.

Ask your doctor about having a special catheter inserted. This method is generally used in children with high intraocular pressure or patients with severe glaucoma. The doctor will implant a small catheter into the patient to help drain the aqueous humor. After the aqueous humor is drained, the intraocular pressure naturally decreases.

Consider laser surgery. Trabeculoplasty uses a laser to open blocked drainage systems in the eye, allowing excess fluid to drain out. After the operation, the doctor will regularly check the intraocular pressure to ensure the success of the operation.

• Another type of laser surgery is iridotomy, which is suitable for patients with eye drainage angles that are too narrow. During the surgery, the doctor will make a small opening in the iris to allow excess aqueous humor to drain out.
• If iridotomy is not effective, peripheral iridotomy may be performed. The surgery removes a small portion of the iris to allow the aqueous humor to drain. However, this surgery is rarely used.

You may need filtration surgery. Trabeculectomy surgery can be said to be the last resort to treat high intraocular pressure, and will only be considered when eye drops and laser surgery are ineffective.

• The doctor will make an opening in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and remove a small portion of the cornea. This allows fluid to flow freely, which lowers intraocular pressure.
• Usually only one eye is operated on at a time, and if necessary, surgery on the other eye will be performed a few weeks later. Because the opening may be blocked or healed, surgery may be continued later.

Practice Eye Relaxation Exercises

Blink every 3 to 4 seconds. When working on a computer, watching TV, or playing games, the blink rate decreases, causing eye fatigue.

• Consciously blink every 3 to 4 seconds for two minutes to relax and restore your eyes. If necessary, set a time to remind yourself.
• Doing so will relieve eye pressure and allow your eyes to work better in the future.

Apply the palms of your hands to your eyes, which can not only relax your eyes, but also soothe your body and mind, and make blinking more comfortable.

• Place your right hand over your right eye, palm resting on your forehead with the heel of your palm resting on your cheekbone. Do not use force.
• Apply for 30 seconds to 1 minute, blinking vigorously. Remove your right hand, cover your left eye with your left hand, and repeat the process.

Write 8 with your eyes. This action can exercise the eye muscles, increase their elasticity, and reduce the possibility of injury and high intraocular pressure.

• Imagine there is a giant 8 lying on the wall in front of you. Use your eyes to copy this 8, keeping your head still for one to two minutes.
• If you really can’t imagine what 8 looks like, just write 8 on a large piece of paper and stick it on the wall. Then copy with your eyes.

Alternately look at distant and near objects. This action can also exercise the eye muscles and improve vision at the same time.

• Find a relaxing place to sit and avoid distractions. Place your thumb 25cm away from your face and stare at it.
• Stare at your thumb for 10 seconds, then look at something 3 to 6 meters away. Alternate looking at your thumb and something far away for one to two minutes.

Zoom practice. This exercise exercises your focusing ability and strengthens your eye muscles.

• Reach out a hand and give your thumbs up. Keep both eyes on your thumb, and then slowly move your hand toward your face, stopping at a position slightly less than 10 centimeters.
• Then move your finger farther away, keeping your eyes on it. Just keep moving your fingers back and forth for one to two minutes.

Try biofeedback therapy. This method should also relieve eye pressure. Biofeedback therapy teaches you to control normal physiological responses, including heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and more. A BRT therapist will teach you specific ways to practice this on your own.