Risk Factors That Can Lead To Glaucoma

Farsightedness

Farsightedness, which is also referred to as hyperopia, means an affected individual will be able to see objects in the distance clearly, but closer objects are often blurry. It is common for individuals who have smaller or narrower eyes because the iris blocks outflow due to the crowded space. An optometrist can test for the presence of glaucoma as well as assess a patient's risk for developing the condition due to farsightedness and other factors through a series of tests during a comprehensive eye exam. The good news is, even if individuals have narrow or smaller eyes, only a small percent of them will develop the angle-closure disease. For every ten to twenty individuals who are candidates, only one is diagnosed with the disease.

Age And Gender

Age and gender may determine whether an individual will develop glaucoma as well as what type they may end up with. The risk for developing closed-angle glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma significantly increases after an individual reaches forty years old. Females are also more likely to develop closed-angle glaucoma than males. The good news is, while neither factor is preventable, there are steps individuals can take to help mitigate their impact, including using prescription eye drops to reduce the likelihood of glaucoma developing due to age. Individuals may also wish to consider wearing a hat and sunglasses when they are out in the sun to protect their eyes from more damage due to direct sunlight.