RISK FACTORS FOR GLAUCOMA

Abstract

This article examines risk factors for developing glaucoma. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by elevated intraocular pressure, which leads to damage and death of retinal ganglion cells, degeneration of optic nerve fibers, dysfunction of the trabecular meshwork, and progressive vision loss. The development of glaucoma is influenced by numerous ophthalmologic and systemic risk factors. Ophthalmologic risk factors include elevated intraocular pressure, older age, gender, race, and genetic predisposition. Systemic risk factors include steroid use, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or hypotension, cardiovascular disease, high myopia, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea.