Do you have these Risk Factors for Glaucoma?

Everything You Need to Know about Risk Factors for developing Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss and blindness. It is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which carries information from the eye to the brain. Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages. Glaucoma is sometimes called the silent thief of sight because it slowly damages the eyes and can cause irreparable harm before there is any vision loss.

There are several risk factors for glaucoma, including:

1. Age:

Increasing age

Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. Ageing plays an important role in glaucoma, as the prevalence of glaucoma increases exponentially. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.

Age is also a risk factor for primary angle-closure glaucoma. One of the reasons is that as we get older, the lens also thickens. This thickened lens can further narrow angles that were already susceptible to being narrow. Older age is not only a risk factor for the diagnosis of glaucoma but also for its progression.

2. Family history:

Positive family history

Research studies suggest that one of the greatest risk factors for developing glaucoma is having a family history of the disease. Having a sibling with the disease increases your risk significantly. For example, if you have a brother or sister with glaucoma you have a 10 times greater chance of developing it. A family history of glaucoma was also associated with a more aggressive disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma, you are more likely to carry a relative risk of 2.1 times for being associated with at least possible open-angle glaucoma. Screening is advisable, for relatives of patients with glaucoma after the age of 35 years.

3. High intraocular pressure:

Elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) is a major risk factor for glaucoma. The elevated pressure damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss. And is presently the only modifiable risk factor among all.

4. Medical conditions:

Systemic Diseases

There is enough evidence to cite that glaucoma is not an isolated disease but is associated with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, sickle cell anaemia, and migraines, which may increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

These systemic disorders are often also considered to be risk factors for progression. In addition, they cause a distinct disorder called neovascular glaucoma. As a result, it is important to undergo an eye check-up with dilating eyedrops to screen for early damage in the eye.

5. Eye injuries:

Traumatic glaucoma is a type of secondary glaucoma that develops following blunt or penetrating ocular trauma. This type of glaucoma can occur both immediately after an injury to the eye or years later. Childhood injuries which seem trivial at that moment can potentially harm the eye, They can be easily recognised by a procedure called gonioscopy.

All types of ocular trauma have the potential to cause an elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the affected eye through various mechanisms. Screening again is an important tool for picking up missed cases.

6. Long-term use of corticosteroids:

Corticosteroids (steroids) have been used for a variety of systemic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, bronchial asthma and with organ transplants. Though they are the mainstay of treatment for the above-mentioned diseases, they can lead to cataracts and glaucoma. Therefore, routine screening should be undertaken.

7. Nearsightedness:

Myopia

People who are nearsighted (myopes) are more likely to develop glaucoma. Eyes that are myopic, or short-sighted, tend to be larger than average in size. This makes the optic nerve at the back of the eye more vulnerable to changes in intraocular pressure. Many short-sighted people with glaucoma tend to have so-called normal tension glaucoma where the intraocular pressure is not particularly elevated.

There is also a theory that during eye movement the optic nerve is stretched more in people with larger eyeballs, causing glaucoma. Many people with myopia have optic nerve heads with a suspicious appearance which may look very much like what is seen in people that have optic nerve damage from glaucoma. And such eyes need close follow-ups.

8. Other eye conditions:

Certain eye conditions, such as thin corneas, optic nerve abnormalities, and obstructive sleep apnoea, may increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

'It is important to be aware of these risk factors and to talk to your eye doctor if you have any concerns. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma can help prevent vision loss and preserve your sight'

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