Risk Factors and Prevention
High eye pressure does not cause glaucoma, but it is a risk factor. Learn about other risk factors for glaucoma and ways to lower your risk to possibly prevent the disease.
Risk Factors for Open-Angle Glaucoma
Strong risk factors for open-angle glaucoma:
- 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
- Suspicious optic nerve appearance with increased cupping (size of cup, the space at the center of optic nerve, is larger than normal
Potential risk factors for open-angle glaucoma:
- High myopia (very severe nearsightedness)
- Diabetes
- Eye surgery or injury
- High blood pressure
- Use of corticosteroids (for example, eye drops, pills, inhalers, and creams)
More Risk Factors
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Risk Factors for Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Age 40 and older
- Family history of glaucoma
- Poor short-distance vision (farsightedness)
- Eye injury or eye surgery
- East Asian and Inuit ethnicity
Risk Factors for Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
- Cardiovascular disease
- Family history of glaucoma
- Low eye pressure
- Japanese ethnicity
Prevention: Lower Your Risk of Glaucoma
If you’re at risk of developing glaucoma, medical experts recommend a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet to improve your overall physical and mental well-being. Taking care of your mental and emotional health is also important.
Are you eating the foods that are best for protecting your eyes?
Suggestions for general physical well-being:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Keep your blood pressure at a normal level and control other medical conditions.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit caffeine intake to moderate levels, because some evidence suggests that high amounts of caffeine may increase eye pressure.
- Try to exercise daily by doing physical activities such as walking, swimming, or working in the yard.
- Prevent overexposure to sunlight by wearing sunglasses and hats when you’re outdoors.
- Get regular, comprehensive eye exams, and consult your doctor if you notice changes in your vision.
- If you are African American, taking prescription eye drops could cut your risk of getting glaucoma in half.
Expert Advice
Useful articles to help you understand and manage symptoms, treatment, and the latest discoveries in National Glaucoma Research.
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