Can glaucoma cause high blood pressure?

Generally speaking, whether glaucoma can cause high blood pressure depends on the specific circumstances. When glaucoma is stable and no significant discomfort is present, it usually does not lead to high blood pressure; however, during an acute attack of glaucoma accompanied by severe discomfort, blood pressure may indirectly increase. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If glaucoma is well-controlled, intraocular pressure remains within the normal range, and there are no obvious symptoms such as eye pain or headache, the body will not experience a stress response, thus having no impact on blood pressure regulation, meaning hypertension will not occur. In such cases, routine management of glaucoma—regular monitoring of both intraocular pressure and blood pressure—is sufficient.

During an acute glaucoma attack, when symptoms such as severe eye pain, headache, and sudden vision loss occur, the body may undergo a stress response due to intense discomfort, leading to vasoconstriction and consequently causing an indirect rise in blood pressure. In this situation, priority should be given to relieving the acute symptoms of glaucoma while simultaneously monitoring changes in blood pressure.

To prevent glaucoma from indirectly affecting blood pressure, it is important to actively manage the condition in daily life: take medications as prescribed, have regular follow-up eye pressure checks, maintain emotional stability, avoid anxiety or tension caused by eye discomfort, adhere to a regular sleep schedule, eat a light diet, and comprehensively manage both eye and blood pressure health.