What defines ocular hypertension?

Ocular hypertension is best defined by elevated pressure in the eye without detectable changes in vision or damage. This condition is characterized by intraocular pressure (IOP) that is higher than the normal range but without any signs of damage to the optic nerve or a loss of visual field. The IOP can be assessed using a tonometer, and while the elevated pressure raises the risk of developing glaucoma, it does not indicate that any definitive visual impairment or anatomical damage has occurred at the time of diagnosis.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios where pressure changes are either correlated with immediate vision changes or lead to glaucoma symptoms, which would not align with the definition of ocular hypertension, where those changes are not present. Ocular hypertension is a critical state to monitor, as it may require intervention to prevent the potential progression to glaucoma, which is characterized by both intraocular pressure elevation and visual impairment.