Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma
Some people are at greater risk for developing glaucoma and should see their ophthalmologist on a regular basis, specifically for glaucoma testing.
Risk factors for glaucoma include:
- Age
- Family history of glaucoma
- African or Hispanic ancestry
- Farsightedness or nearsightedness
- Elevated eye pressure
- Past eye injury
- Having a thinner central cornea (the clear, front part of the eye covering the pupil and colored iris)
- Not having eye examinations when they are recommended
- Low blood pressure
- Conditions that affect blood flow, such as migraines, diabetes and low blood pressure
People of Asian descent and those with hyperopia (farsightedness) tend to be more at risk for narrow-angle glaucoma (also known as angle-closure glaucoma or closed-angle glaucoma).
If you have received a glaucoma diagnosis, your doctor will talk about possible treatment options, such as glaucoma eyedrops and/or glaucoma surgery.