Did you know glaucoma can progress without symptoms?
Let’s explore the key risk factors and how you can protect your vision
Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness, is often caused by a buildup of fluid pressure within the eye. It can affect people of all ages, from babies and teens to younger and older adults. Although everyone is at risk for glaucoma, certain factors may put you at a higher risk if you:
- Are over the age of 60
- You are of African American, Asian, or Hispanic descent
- It runs in your family
- Individuals who are highly nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic)
- If you use corticosteroid medications
- If you experience high eye pressure
- If you have a thin central cornea
- You’ve had an eye injury
If you’re at high risk for glaucoma, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist, including eye dilation. Based on your exam results, your ophthalmologist will recommend how often you should return for follow-up checkups. At Elite Eye Care, we offer thorough eye exams and personalized care to help protect your vision.
Are you aware of your Glaucoma risk?
Here's a closer look at who’s more likely to develop this condition.
Glaucoma :
Risk
Factors
Groups at higher
risk of developing Glaucoma
1. You’re over 60
As you age, the risk of developing glaucoma becomes much higher. If you're over the age of 60, your chances of developing this condition increase by six times compared to younger individuals. It's important to be aware of this heightened risk and undergo regular eye exams to catch any early signs of glaucoma.
2. African Americans
After cataracts, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans and people of African descent. If you're African American, you're six to eight times more likely to develop glaucoma compared to those of Caucasian descent.
3. It is a family Trait
Primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, often runs in families. If someone in your family has been diagnosed with glaucoma, your risk of developing it is significantly higher, four to nine times more than the general population.
4. Hispanics in the older population:
Studies show that the risk of developing glaucoma is higher for individuals of Hispanic descent compared to those of predominantly European ancestry. This risk continues to increase as Hispanics reach the age of 60 and beyond.
5. Asians
If you are of Asian descent, you may be at an increased risk for angle-closure glaucoma, which accounts for less than 10% of all diagnosed glaucoma cases. Additionally, if you are of Japanese descent, you may face a higher risk of developing normal-tension glaucoma.
6. Use of corticosteroid medications:
Long-term use of corticosteroids medications that mimic the hormones your body naturally produces, can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
7. If you’ve experienced an eye injury
An injury to the eye can lead to secondary open-angle glaucoma, which may develop either shortly after the injury or even years later. Blunt trauma injuries that cause bruising to the eye or penetrating eye injuries can harm the eye's drainage system, increasing the risk of traumatic glaucoma. Sports-related accidents, particularly from activities like baseball or boxing, are among the most common causes.
How Glaucoma damages the Eye
The optic Disc : Your eyes rely on millions of nerve fibers running from the retina to form the optic nerve. These fibers meet at the optic disc, a critical point in your eye’s structure. In many types of glaucoma, the eye’s natural drainage system gets blocked, causing fluid buildup. This increases pressure inside the eye, potentially damaging these delicate nerve fibers and leading to vision loss. As more fibers are lost, the optic disc starts to hollow and take on a cupped shape, a key sign doctors look for during eye exams to detect glaucoma early.
Intraocular pressure (IOP) : Normal intraocular pressure (IOP) ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). If the pressure stays too high for too long, it can damage the sensitive optic disc, leading to permanent vision loss. While high IOP is a known risk factor for glaucoma, it’s not the only one. Even people with normal IOP can still experience vision loss due to glaucoma, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams.
What happens when Glaucoma affects your vision?
Let’s explore the impact it can have.
The Impact of Glaucoma on vision
Glaucoma often affects both eyes, but increased eye pressure typically starts in one eye first. Over time, this pressure can lead to gradual changes in your vision, often starting with peripheral (side) vision. These changes might be so subtle that you don’t even notice them at first.
Eventually, your central vision may also be impacted. Unfortunately, any sight lost due to glaucoma cannot be regained. However, detecting it early and starting treatment can help protect your vision and maintain remaining vision.
Act Now to protect your Vision
Take simple steps today for clearer vision Tomorrow!
Q&A
1. What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
Glaucoma risk factors include age, family history, eye injuries, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
2. How to avoid Glaucoma?
To reduce glaucoma risk, maintain a healthy lifestyle, manage underlying health conditions, undergo regular eye exams, and consider medications or surgery as recommended by your eye doctor.