High eye pressure does not cause glaucoma, but it is a risk factor. Learn about other risk factors for glaucoma and ways to lower your risk to possibly prevent the disease.
Risk Factors for Open-Angle Glaucoma
Strong risk factors for open-angle glaucoma include:
- High eye pressure
- Family history of Glaucoma
- Age 40 and older for African Americans
- Age 60 and older for the general population, especially Mexican Americans
- Thin cornea
- Suspicious optic nerve appearance with increased cupping (size of cup, the space at the center of optic nerve, is larger than normal)
Potential risk factors for open-angle glaucoma include:
- High myopia (very severe nearsightedness)
- Diabetes
- Eye surgery or injury
- High blood pressure
- Use of corticosteroids (for example, eye drops, pills, inhalers, and creams)
Risk Factors for Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Age 40 and older
- Family history of Glaucoma
- Poor short-distance vision (farsightedness)
- Eye injury or eye surgery
- East Asian and Inuit ethnicity
Risk Factors for Normal-Tension Glaucoma
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Family history of Glaucoma
- Low eye Pressure
- Japanese ethnicity
