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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Because chronic forms of glaucoma can destroy vision before any signs or symptoms are apparent, be aware of these factors:

  • Elevated internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure). If your intraocular pressure is higher than normal, you're at increased risk of developing glaucoma, though not everyone with elevated intraocular pressure develops the disease.
  • Age. Everyone older than 60 is at increased risk of glaucoma. For certain population groups such as African-Americans, however, the risk is much higher and occurs at a younger age than that of the average population. If you're African-American, ask your doctor when you should start having regular comprehensive eye exams.
  • Ethnic background. African-Americans are five times more likely to get glaucoma than are Caucasians, and they're much more likely to experience permanent blindness as a result. Mexican-Americans and Asian-Americans also face an increased risk.
  • Family history of glaucoma. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you have a much greater risk of developing it. Glaucoma may have a genetic link, meaning there's a defect in one or more genes that may cause certain individuals to be unusually susceptible to the disease. A form of juvenile open-angle glaucoma has been clearly linked to genetic abnormalities.
  • Medical conditions. Diabetes and hypothyroidism increase your risk of developing glaucoma.
  • Other eye conditions. Severe eye injuries can result in increased eye pressure. Injury can also dislocate the lens, closing the drainage angle. Other risk factors include retinal detachment, eye tumors and eye inflammations, such as chronic uveitis and iritis. Certain types of eye surgery also may trigger secondary glaucoma.
  • Nearsightedness. Being nearsighted, which generally means that objects in the distance look fuzzy without glasses or contacts, increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
  • Prolonged corticosteroid use. Using corticosteroids for prolonged periods of time appears to put you at risk of getting secondary glaucoma. This is especially true if you use corticosteroids eyedrops.
Complications Causes
References
  1. Ramulu P, et al. Glaucoma. In: Yanoff M, et al, eds. Ophthalmology. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201760123-9/0/1869/522.html?tocnode=56525066&fromURL=522.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04332-8..X0001-7--p10_4129. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  2. Traynor MP, et al. Glaucoma. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. 61st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00003-X--sc0030&uniq=201760123&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  3. Ferri FF. Primary angle-closure. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201760123-10/1000369016/2088/265.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0065_5445. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  4. Ferri FF. Glaucoma, Chronic Open-Angle. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009.  http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201760123-10/1000369016/2088/264.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0060_5420. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  5. Facts about glaucoma. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  6. Care of the patient with open angle glaucoma. St. Louis, MO: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-9.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  7. Are you at risk for glaucoma? Glaucoma Research Foundation. http://www.glaucoma.org/learn/are_you_at_risk.php. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  8. Jacobs DS. Primary open-angle glaucoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  9. Alternative medicine. Glaucoma Research Foundation. http://www.glaucoma.org/treating/alternative_med.php. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  10. Eye drops delay onset of glaucoma in people at higher risk. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/pressreleases/061302.asp. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  11. Glaucoma support group. Glaucoma Service Foundation to Prevent Blindness. http://www.willsglaucoma.org/support.htm. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  12. Common glaucoma treatments. National Glaucoma Research. http://www.ahaf.org/glaucoma/treatment/common/. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  13. Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 30, 2010.
DS00283 July 17, 2010

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