Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by the damage of the optic nerve due to increased internal eye pressure.
Risk Factors of Glaucoma
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but there are many risk factors that can increase your chances:
- Age: If you are older than age 60
- Ethnic background: Mexican Americans, Asian, African or Afro-Caribbean origins
- Family history of glaucoma: If you have a family member with glaucoma
- Medical condition: Diabetes, high or low blood pressure, and short-sightedness
- Increased intraocular pressure (IOP)
- Thinness of the cornea (out layer of tissue)
- Abnormal optic nerve anatomy
Regular eye check-ups can help detect glaucoma in its early stage and prevent irreversible damage. As a rule of thumb, get your eyes tested every three to five years after the age of 40 and every year after 60. You should also protect your eyes while playing contact sports and spending time outdoors as serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma.
Related Topics
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Eyelid Disorders
- Dry Eyes
- Blepharitis
- Chalazion
- Tear Duct Obstruction
- Refractive Errors
- Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
- Pterygium
- Hyphema
- Herpetic Eye Disease
- Acute/ Chronic/Recurrent Iridocyclitis
- Chemical Burn
- Conjunctival & Corneal tear
- Repair of Conjunctival and Corneal tear
- Corneal Opacity
- Corneal Ulcer
- Ocular/Orbital Trauma
- Treatment of Ocular/Orbital trauma
- Eyelid Cyst
- Optic Nerve Atrophy
- Optic Neuropathy
- Pars Planitis/Intermediate Uveitis
- Posterior Uveitis
- Diseases of Cornea
- Temporal Arteritis
- Traumatic Iritis
- Ocular/Orbital Tumors
- Pediatric Eye Problems