Glaucoma Risk Factors

If the internal pressure in your eye (intraocular pressure) is higher than what's considered normal, you're at increased risk of developing glaucoma, though not everyone with elevated intraocular pressure develops the disease. This makes it difficult to predict who will get glaucoma.

Certain other factors increase your risk. Because chronic forms of glaucoma can destroy vision before any signs or symptoms are apparent, be aware of these factors:

Age

Age is a large risk factor in the development of glaucoma. Everyone older than 60 is at increased risk of the disorder. For blacks however, the increase in risk becomes apparent earlier, after age 40.

Race

Blacks are significantly more likely to get glaucoma than are whites, and they are much more likely to suffer permanent blindness as a result. Mexican-Americans also face an increased risk. Asian-Americans are at higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma, and Japanese-Americans are more prone to low-tension glaucoma. The reasons for these differences aren't clear.

Family History of Glaucoma

If you have a family history of glaucoma, you have a much greater risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma may have a genetic link, meaning there's a defect in one or more genes that may cause certain individuals to be more susceptible to the disease.

Medical Conditions

Diabetes increases your risk of developing glaucoma. A history of high blood pressure or heart disease also can increase your risk, as can hypothyroidism. Routine use of coffee has recently been found to be associated with a slight increase in intraocular pressure.

Physical Injuries

Severe trauma, such as being hit in the eye, 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.

Eye Abnormalities

Structural abnormalities of the eye can lead to secondary glaucoma. For example, pigmentary glaucoma is a form of secondary glaucoma caused by pigment granules being released from the back of the iris. These granules can block the trabecular meshwork.