Medical expert of the article
New publications
Hypotension of the eye: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Hypotension of the eye occurs as a consequence of other diseases of the eyes or the whole body. Intraocular pressure can decrease to 7-8 mm Hg and below the true values. The causes of hypotension are increased outflow of intraocular fluid from the eye or a violation of its secretion. Reduced secretion can occur with damage to the ciliary body, which leads to inflammation, degenerative processes, atrophy or detachment from the sclera. Blunt trauma to the eye can also lead to temporary inhibition of the secretion of intraocular fluid. Hypotension of the eye is especially often observed after antiglaucoma operations and penetrating wounds with the formation of a fistula.
[ Symptoms of ocular hypotension
If eye hypotension develops gradually and is mild, the eye functions are preserved. In acute and severe hypotension, there is a sharp expansion of blood vessels, venous stasis, increased capillary permeability, which leads to microthrombosis, hypoxia, acidosis, the fluid soaks the tissues, increasing dystrophic processes in them. Acute hypoxia is clinically manifested in edema and clouding of the cornea and vitreous body, the formation of retinal folds. The optic disc is edematous, atrophic processes develop in it. The eyeball decreases in size as a result of atrophic processes in it, and in severe cases it wrinkles due to the development of cicatricial processes, sometimes reaching the size of a pea (eye atrophy).
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of ocular hypotension
Treatment of ocular hypotension involves eliminating the causes of its occurrence: closing the fistula, opening the ciliochoroidal space (if fluid accumulates there), and treating inflammatory and degenerative processes in the vascular membrane of the eye.