Your eye’s optic nerve constitutes numerous tiny fibers that transmit signals from the eyes to the brain. These signals inform your brain what your eyes are observing. While the optic nerve should remain healthy for proper vision, there is, unfortunately, a common eye condition that could affect it. Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness, often results from increased pressure accumulation of fluid inside the eye. This pressure damages the optic nerve, and without treatment, glaucoma San Antonio can cause peripheral vision loss and eventually complete blindness. Therefore, it is important to understand the risk factors of this condition. Read on to learn more.
- Age
The likelihood of developing glaucoma heightens as you age. This eye condition is more prevalent in persons above 60 years, and the risk hugely increases as you age further. Nonetheless, glaucoma may develop at any age, even in young kids and newborns.
- Family History
If you have a family history of glaucoma, you are more likely to suffer from this condition. If your parent, sibling, or another close relative has glaucoma, you should always be on the lookout for any warning signs. Likewise, your risk of glaucoma increases if more than one of your kin has the disease.
- Increased Eye Pressure
Increased eye intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for glaucoma. Unfortunately, eye pressure could vary significantly throughout the day. Therefore, a single eye pressure measurement obtained at your doctor’s office does not offer an accurate diagnosis. People with increased eye pressure should consider regular eye exams to monitor their condition.
- Ethnicity
Some ethnic groups are more vulnerable to glaucoma. For instance, African Americans, Asians, and Latinos have a higher risk. These individuals develop glaucoma at an earlier age, and often at a more advanced stage.
- Myopia
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is an eye condition that makes close items seem clear, but distant items appear blurry. Individuals with serious myopia have a greater likelihood of suffering glaucoma. This higher risk results from the fact that their eyeball is elongated, which heightens the danger of optic nerve damage.
- Corneal Thickness
The cornea is the eye’s front structure that provides refraction. This portion of the eye helps one focus their vision. A thin cornea can raise intraocular pressure, which increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Corticosteroid Use
Continued corticosteroid use could raise your risk of suffering glaucoma. These drugs treat swelling but could also heighten intraocular pressure in your eyes, which is a significant risk factor for glaucoma.
- Health Concerns
Some health conditions may raise your likelihood of suffering glaucoma. For instance, individuals with unmanaged diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, which obstructs the eye’s drainage system, causing glaucoma.
Likewise, eye injuries or a history of several eye surgeries for chronic eye concerns may lead to secondary glaucoma. Other conditions associated with a higher glaucoma risk include hypertension, cardiac disease, sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders.
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that could cause permanent vision loss. Unfortunately, glaucoma does not show obvious symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, it is important to understand the risk factors of this condition to know when to seek timely care. However, while the factors highlighted above can heighten your likelihood of developing glaucoma, it is not a guarantee that you will develop this condition. Besides, some people develop glaucoma even without any of these risk factors. Consult your eye specialist to learn about your individual risk factors and create a plan to look out for your eye health.
