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.

<<<previous page
next page>>>

LASER EYE SURGERY

Free Online Quote



Complete this form for information on Laser Eye Surgery in the UK.

Text Size:  A A A