Symptoms
RISK FOR
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of conditions, in which high pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) damages the optic nerve of the eye. Glaucoma usually affects both the eyes. It commonly occurs in adults above 40 years of age, but can even occur in newborn babies. The vision lost due to glaucoma is irreversible and hence it is very important to detect this disease as early as possible and treat early to preserve vision.
High eye pressure alone does not mean that you have glaucoma, but it is an important risk factor your ophthalmologist will use to determine your risk for developing the disease.
The most important risk factors include :
- Age
- Elevated eye pressure
- Thin cornea
- Family history of glaucoma
- Nearsightedness
- Past injuries to the eyes
- Steroid use
- A history of severe anemia or shock