Does environmental factors caused by family to have glaucoma?
DEC 11, 2013
Question:
My daughter, 32, and her daughter, 14, both have been diagnosed with glaucoma recently. There is no family history thus far. I am wondering if there could be something in their environment, such as the house, that could cause them both to have this disease and have been diagnosed at nearly the same time.
Answer:
No, there is no evidence to suggest that environmental factors play a role in developing glaucoma. Despite an initial report of no family history of glaucoma, after further careful investigation it is not uncommon to come to a different conclusion. Beyond that, other factors need to be explored including a possible history of trauma to the eye or use of certain medications, particularly corticosteroids, which can result in glaucoma.
As with any concern that you and your family may have about glaucoma, we advise that you speak to an ophthalmologist who is specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye.