Do you still need to use eye drops after intraocular pressure returns to normal?
Apr 20, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
If elevated intraocular pressure is caused by temporary factors such as eye strain, overuse, or emotional fluctuations, the pressure will gradually return to normal after avoiding these triggers, and there is no need to continue using eye drops. However, if high intraocular pressure is due to glaucoma, continuous medication is still required even after the pressure has been controlled within the normal range, in order to prevent disease recurrence and progression.
After intraocular pressure returns to normal, whether eye drops are needed depends on the specific type of disease. The details are as follows:
1. Not required
If elevated intraocular pressure is caused by temporary factors such as eye strain, overuse, or emotional fluctuations, once these triggers are avoided, the pressure usually returns to normal gradually, and eye drops are no longer necessary.
2. Required
If high intraocular pressure is due to glaucoma, even if the pressure has been brought back to a normal range, ongoing medication is still required to prevent disease recurrence and progression. This is because glaucoma is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment and management. Medications help maintain lower intraocular pressure, slow the progression of the disease, and prevent vision loss and other serious retinal complications in glaucoma patients. Therefore, even when intraocular pressure is within the normal range, patients with glaucoma must continue using eye drops to control the disease.
Note: Even if medication is discontinued, regular follow-up examinations of intraocular pressure and overall eye health are essential to ensure disease stability and to promptly detect and manage any potential recurrence or progression.
