Open-angle glaucoma:

Strong Risk Factors

• High eye pressure



• Family history of glaucoma



• Age 40 and older for African Americans



• Age 60 and older for the general population, especially Mexican Americans



• Thin Cornea



• Abnormal optic nerve anatomy

Potential Risk Factors

• High myopia (very severe nearsightedness)



• Diabetes



• Eye surgery or injury



• High blood pressure



• Use of prescription steroids

Closed-angle glaucoma:

• Age



• Family history



• Poor short-distance vision (far-sighted)



• Eye injury or eye surgery



• Asian or Eskimo descent may increase risk

Normal-tension glaucoma:

• Cardiovascular disease



• Family history



• Japanese descent may increase risk

Some of the information in this section of our website was obtained from the National Eye Institute and the the National Library of Medicine

Reviewed on 2/14/2008