Risk Factors for Glaucoma
- Eye Pressure - High intraocular pressure increases the risk of developing glaucoma, but not everyone with high eye pressure develops this disease.
- Age - People over the age of 60 years are at an increased risk.
- Myopia - Nearsightedness increases risk of glaucoma.
- Ethnicity - African-Americans are far more likely to suffer from glaucoma than Caucasians and are therefore more likely to suffer from blindness.
- Family History – Glaucoma may be due to a genetic abnormality and if there is a family history of the disease, then you are far more likely to suffer.
- Eye Injury - This can cause a rise in eye pressure. Also, injury can dislocate the lens and close the drainage angle. Both scenarios can cause glaucoma.
- Retinal Detachment, Eye Tumours & Eye Inflammations - These can also increase risk.
- Diabetes – Diabetics are far more likely to develop glaucoma.
- Severe Anaemia - This can increase risk of developing glaucoma.
- Corticosteroid - Prolonged use can increase risk.
If you are at a high risk from developing glaucoma, your optometrist/ophthalmologist will monitor your eyes regularly so that he/she can detect the early signs of damage to the optic nerve and suggest treatment as and when required.