Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can gradually cause partial or complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, which carries signals between the eye and the brain.
The way the optic nerve is damaged depends on the type of glaucoma. In most cases of glaucoma, the damage is caused by pressure from excessive fluid buildup in the eye. The fluid buildup usually occurs because the eye is not draining properly. If the pressure builds up and the nerve fibers in the optic nerve are damaged, blind spots can develop.
Sometimes the exact cause of glaucoma is unknown, such as when trauma damages the eye and increases pressure. Secondary glaucoma is caused by injury or other diseases.
However, experts aren't always sure why people experience higher eye pressure and develop glaucoma, including the most common type, open-angle glaucoma. Primary glaucoma is glaucoma whose cause is unknown.
Studies have shown that there is a genetic link to glaucoma, meaning that if you have a family member with glaucoma, you may be more likely to develop it. The more relatives you have with glaucoma, the more likely you are to develop it. People who develop glaucoma at a young age are more likely to inherit it.
Some people may develop glaucoma because they have a genetic mutation that affects how the eye regulates pressure or because they inherit a change in the structure of the eye. However, most of the research available is based on people’s understanding of their family history, which can be limited because not everyone knows of a family member with glaucoma.
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some people are more likely to develop it.
- age: The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age, and people over 40 are at higher risk than younger people.
- sex: People who were assigned male at birth are more likely to develop open-angle glaucoma, while people who were assigned female at birth are more likely to develop closed-angle glaucoma (where the iris bulges out, preventing tears from draining effectively). Because women live longer than men, older women may be more likely to develop glaucoma than older men.
- Nationality: People who identify as Hispanic, Latino, African, African-American, or Asian are more likely to develop glaucoma.
Certain risk factors can make you more likely to develop glaucoma. If you have multiple risk factors, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your individual risk for glaucoma.
frailty
Frailty is a condition in which physical and cognitive functions deteriorate rapidly. Frailty is related to age, but the two do not always necessarily occur together. Chronic diseases can make you more frail at a young age. Frailty at a young age can make you more likely to develop glaucoma.
eye injury
Eye injuries can lead to secondary glaucoma. Injuries to the eye can cause pressure to build up. Glaucoma caused by injury is known as traumatic glaucoma.
It is important to wear protective eyewear when working on construction sites, doing repairs around the house, or playing sports. You can purchase protective eyewear and goggles from your eye care provider, home repair shop, or sporting goods store.
Cardiovascular conditions
People with hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure) are at risk for certain types of glaucoma.
For example, people with high blood pressure are at risk for the most common type of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, which occurs when pressure builds up in the eye. High blood pressure can also lead to secondary glaucoma, also known as neovascular glaucoma. This can occur when the eye develops extra blood vessels that cover the area where fluid normally drains from the eye.
People with low blood pressure are at risk for normal tension glaucoma, a type of open-angle glaucoma that occurs in people with normal eye pressure.
An irregular heartbeat may also lead to normal tension glaucoma.
Poor blood circulation also increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
Eye condition
Certain conditions that affect the eyes can increase your risk of developing glaucoma. You may be at risk for glaucoma if you:
- Are you farsighted (cannot see close objects well) or nearsighted (cannot see distant objects well)?
- If the cornea or optic nerve is thin
- If you have pigment dispersion syndrome (where pigment falls off the back of the iris and blocks the drainage of the eye fluid)
- If you have pseudoexfoliation syndrome (where flaky material builds up in the eye, blocking the drainage of fluid from the eye)
- have Uveitis (a disease that causes swelling and inflammation in the eyes)
diabetes
Diabetes can increase your risk of glaucoma. People with diabetes may be at higher risk for developing open-angle glaucoma or neovascular glaucoma. To reduce these potential complications, it is important to manage your diabetes with the help of your healthcare provider.
migraine
Studies have shown that there may be a link between migraines and glaucoma. The link may be vascular, especially in neovascular glaucoma. The link between migraines and open-angle glaucoma was only seen in the 70-79 age group.
obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted due to a blockage in the upper airway.
A recent study analysis found that people with OSA were more likely to develop glaucoma than those without OSA. People with both OSA and glaucoma were also more likely to have more severe glaucoma symptoms, including more severe vision loss. Further research is needed to understand the potential link.
drug
Treatment for other conditions may increase the risk of glaucoma. For example, calcium channel blocker or alpha blocker drugs used to treat Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure have been linked to a higher risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. Raynaud's syndrome is a condition that affects the small blood vessels (arteries) in the arms and legs.
Long-term steroid use has also been shown to increase the risk of glaucoma.
smoking
Smoking may or may not be a risk factor for glaucoma in and of itself. Research results are mixed. However, some studies suggest that smoking may cause glaucoma at a younger age in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease. This is especially true for men.
Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that can cause vision loss. There are several types of glaucoma, all of which occur when the optic nerve is damaged. Damage is usually caused by a buildup of pressure and fluid.
Most glaucoma is primary, meaning the underlying cause is unknown. In secondary glaucoma, a specialist can determine the exact cause, such as an injury.
Many risk factors can make you more susceptible to glaucoma, including a family history. If you have concerns, discuss your individual risk with your eye care professional.