What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
- Age (60 years and older)
- Elevated eye pressure
- Family history of glaucoma
- African, Asian or Spanish ancestry
- Farsightedness or nearsightedness
- Past eye injuries
- Steroid use
- Other health problems like diabetes or migraine headaches
Your ophthalmologist, Eye M.D., will weigh all of these factors before deciding whether you need treatment. You may simply need to be monitored closely. This means your risk of developing glaucoma is higher than normal. Make sure to have regular examinations to detect the early signs of damage to the optic nerve.
Individuals of African descent or with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every 3 to 5 years from ages 20 to 29, and every 2 to 4 years from ages 30 to 39.
> Assess your risk for glaucoma
Regular medical eye exams can help prevent unnecessary vision loss. The American Academy of Ophthalmology now recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40—the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.
