Ocular Hypertension
12 medicines
Ocular hypertension means the pressure inside the eye is consistently above normal, the leading modifiable risk factor for glaucoma. It's managed with pressure-lowering eye drops such as latanoprost or timolol.
Bimat + Applicators
Bimatoprost
3ml
Bimat + Applicators is a eye care medication containing Bimatoprost, available as 3ml bottles.
Careprost + Applicators
Bimatoprost
3ml
Careprost + Applicators is a eye care medication containing Bimatoprost, available as 3ml bottles.
Lumigan + Applicators
Bimatoprost
3ml
Lumigan + Applicators is a eye care medication containing Bimatoprost, available as 3ml bottles.
Key facts
- Ocular hypertension means the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) sits consistently above the normal range of roughly 10 to 21 mmHg.
- It causes no pain and no noticeable change in vision, but it's the leading modifiable risk factor for glaucoma, a major cause of irreversible blindness.
- First-line treatment is a once-daily prostaglandin analogue such as latanoprost or travoprost, or a prostamide such as bimatoprost; these drops increase fluid drainage from the eye.
- Because there are no symptoms, regular eye exams with tonometry are the only way to detect and track it.
Why eye pressure builds up
The eye continuously produces a clear fluid called aqueous humour. When the drainage channels, known as the trabecular meshwork, cannot clear this fluid fast enough, pressure inside the eye rises. Age, family history, and having thicker-than-average corneas all influence where that balance settles.
Lowering eye pressure with drops
Treatment brings IOP down to a level unlikely to damage the optic nerve. Most people start with a once-daily prostaglandin analogue such as latanoprost or travoprost, or a prostamide such as bimatoprost; these increase fluid drainage and are among the most effective single-agent options. When more pressure reduction is needed, a beta-blocker such as timolol, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor such as dorzolamide, or an alpha-2 agonist such as brimonidine can be added. The full range of eye care medicines used for IOP management sits in the product listing above.
Monitoring and when to act
Because ocular hypertension produces no symptoms, regular eye examination with tonometry is the only way to detect it and track how well treatment is working. Anyone with an IOP above 24 mmHg, a close relative with glaucoma, or any gradual narrowing of peripheral vision should get an eye assessment without delay. Early treatment consistently lowers the long-term risk of sight loss.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.