Who is at risk of developing glaucoma?

The ophthalmologist considers many factors that predispose to the development of glaucoma in order to decide which patients need careful monitoring or treatment.

The most important predisposing factors are shown in the table below. Heredity appears to play an important role for reasons connected with the construction of the eye, which like other characteristics are inherited. So if a close blood relative (parents, grandparents) is using or once used eye drops for glaucoma or has lost his/her sight, an initial identifying examination is imperative. Moreover, with the evolution of genetics, specific genes (MYOC, OPTN, WDR36, etc.) that are responsible - solely or in combination - for the onset of glaucoma have been isolated.

Regardless of whether or not hereditary, those who are over the age of 40 have the periodic eye must include at least one intraocular pressure measurement and possibly a number of imaging examinations of the optic nerve, which will serve as a benchmark for the future.

Patients with diabetes mellitus, poor circulation or who have been taking corticosteroids for a long time also have a predisposition in developing some form of glaucoma.