Intraocular pressure
in glaucoma

Reduce and stabilize intraocular pressure

About 1 million people in Germany are affected by the eye disease glaucoma. If the affected person notices a deterioration in vision, the optic nerve is already damaged irreparably. The deterioration is mainly caused by increased intraocular pressure, you as the person affected do usually not notice it   yourself. Therefore, one of the most important goals of glaucoma therapy is to regularly check the intraocular pressure and, in case of doubt, to lower and stabilize it.

Patient self-monitoring maintains vision

Only a permanently stable intraocular pressure prevents the progression of glaucoma. If the intraocular pressure is consistently monitored, immediate medical action can be taken. Self-measurement and monitoring by the glaucoma patient hence is a safe solution.

The intraocular pressure

The intraocular pressure has a significant effect on the blood flow to the optic disc. Depending on age, the internal pressure of the eye fluctuates. While it normally lies between 10mmHg and 20mmHg (mmHg = millimeter mercury column, physical pressure in medical diagnostics), pressures above 20mmHg are usually too high.

What damages the optic disc?

Increased intraocular pressure prevents even blood flow to the optic disc. Its extremely fine nerve fibres are compressed and die. As an affected patient, you experience a gradual deterioration of your vision. Your field of vision is gradually reduced. If the visual impairments are noticeable, glaucoma is often already well advanced. The nerve cells of the optic disc are already damaged and can no longer recover. If the intraocular pressure is continuously monitored, further damage can be medically counteracted.

Can you perceive intraocular pressure?

Glaucoma is generally diagnosed very late because you as a patient, are usually not aware of the increased pressure in your eye. The recommended preventive examinations for aged people and those with a family history often take place irregularly, if at all. In the meantime, glaucoma can progress invisibly and unnoticed. In a case of diagnosed glaucoma, the examinations in the doctor's office give only a snapshot. However, the intraocular pressure can fluctuate during the day, that’s why elevated pressure values are often only detected by chance. Because the nerve damage is irreversible, the frequent monitoring and self-measurement of the intraocular pressure by the patient is desirable.
How eyemate® works
With a tiny implant, patients can control the intraocular pressure themselves.
eyemate® is CE certified for use in open-angle glaucoma patients during cataract surgery and for patients undergoing Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery.
Site Update: 08 2022
© 2023