Am I at Risk for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma develops when the pressure inside your eye becomes too high, but the exact cause of the disease isn’t known.¹

Some factors can make you more likely than someone else to develop glaucoma.^1,2

Glaucoma risk factors

Age

Your risk of getting glaucoma increases as you get older.^1-3

DID YOU KNOW? People older than 60 years are six times more likely to develop glaucoma.²

Genetics and family history

If someone in your immediate family has primary open-angle glaucoma, you have a higher risk of developing it too.^1-3

DID YOU KNOW? Those with a family history of glaucoma are four to nine times more likely to develop glaucoma.²

Race

People of African descent have a higher risk of glaucoma than Caucasian people, and experience more severe vision loss too.^1-3 People of Asian descent have a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma.^1-3

Gender

Research shows that women may be more likely than men to develop angle-closure glaucoma.³

Race

People of African descent have a higher risk of glaucoma than Caucasian people, and experience more severe vision loss too.^1-3 People of Asian descent have a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma.^1-3

Gender

Research shows that women may be more likely than men to develop angle-closure glaucoma.³

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: What’s the difference between primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma? You can read more about the different types of glaucoma here.

Medical conditions

Some studies have linked certain health conditions to a higher risk of glaucoma, including:

Diabetes^1,3
Hypertension (high blood pressure)^1,3
Migraine³
Myopia (short-sightedness)³

Eye injuries

Trauma to the eye (such as a sports injury) can cause internal damage and increase pressure inside the eye.^1,2 Sometimes glaucoma can develop years after the injury happened.^1,2

Medications

Some types of medications (for example, steroid inhalers used to control asthma) can increase your risk of higher inner-eye pressure and glaucoma.^1-3

Lifestyle factors

Research has shown that there may be a link between higher glaucoma risk and certain lifestyle factors, like smoking, obesity and lack of exercise.^3,4

Who is affected by glaucoma?

As the world’s population grows older, the prevalence of glaucoma is also growing.⁵ By 2040, it’s expected that approximately 111.8 million people around the world will be affected by glaucoma.⁵

Early detection is essential – get tested

There is no cure for glaucoma, but the disease can be managed with the right treatment.¹ Early detection and treatment can help to prevent unnecessary vision loss.¹

Protect your sight – make an appointment with an eye care professional for a complete eye health exam (including eye dilation) to check for glaucoma.²