Risk factors

What are the risk factors in the development of glaucoma? 

• Population aged 45 years or more
• Presence of glaucoma in the family
• High myopia
• In patients with high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, diabetes
• Frequent and long-term treatment with corticosteroids
• Eye injuries
• Greater representation among people of colour due to the anatomical features of the eye

What causes glaucoma?

Elevated eye pressure is considered a major risk factor for developing glaucoma. Normal values ​​of the eye pressure are in the range of 8-21 mmHg. According to some statistics, upper normal value is 22 mmHg or even 24 mmHg. It should be noted that any increase in eye pressure does not necessarily mean that a person has glaucoma.  For example, people with ocular hypertension have a value of intraocular pressure over 21 mmHg with no visible glaucoma damage to the optic nerve or changes in the visual field, but have a slightly higher risk of developing glaucoma disease. But changes in the optic nerve and visual field can occur also in normal and reduced values ​​of eye pressure.

Then we talk about the normotensive and hypotensive glaucoma. Glaucoma is a syndrome which means that in addition to the value of eye pressure, there must be present changes in the optic nerve and visual field.