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Who is at Risk?

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. However, there are certain elements that can increase your risk factor for developing glaucoma.

  • Age. Glaucoma is much more prevalent as you get older. If you are 60 or older you are six times more likely to develop glaucoma.
  • Elevated eye pressure. The intraocular pressure becomes elevated beyond the limit that will permit normal function of the optic nerve.
  • Family history of glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population. This one factor of family history increases your risk of glaucoma four to nine times.
  • Ethnicity. The risk for developing glaucoma in the African American and Hispanic populations are greater than those of predominantly European ancestry. The population of Asian descent are at higher risk of developing angle closure glaucoma. The Japanese population may be at a higher risk for normal tension glaucoma. There are continued studies and research to help determine additional risk related to ancestry.
  • Past eye injury/trauma. Injury to the eye may cause secondary glaucoma. This could happen immediately after the injury or years later. Blunt trauma or injuries that penetrate the eye can damage the eye’s drainage system, leading to traumatic glaucoma. Sports related injuries in baseball or boxing are the most common types of injuries.
  • Thin corneal thickness. A thin cornea can mask high IOP as the pressure readings are actually higher on patients with a thin cornea. Your physician will measure your corneal thickness at the time of your initial evaluation for glaucoma by performing pachymetry testing.
  • Steroid users. Some evidence links steroid use to glaucoma. Some patients will have what is deemed a ‘steroid response’ where IOP spikes with use of oral steroid, injection, inhaler, and/or cream. Chronic steroidal treatment can also lead to glaucoma.
  • Health problems. Systemic health problems such as migraine headaches, poor circulation, uncontrolled diabetes, and sleep apnea can be associated with certain types of glaucoma.
  • Farsightedness or nearsightedness. Due to the anatomy of the eye, certain refractive errors can cause increased risk for glaucoma.