Glaucoma Risk Factors
Glaucoma occurs 4 to 6 times more frequently among blacks than whites, and it increases steadily with age. You are also more likely to have glaucoma if you have diabetes mellitus, myopia (nearsightedness), or a family history of glaucoma.
Your risk of glaucoma is even higher if you have ocular hypertension, which is usually defined as an IOP of over 21 mm Hg. This condition occurs in 7 to 13% of the general populace and even more frequently as you age -- in one-fourth of those over age 65. The likelihood of progressing to glaucoma depends on how high your IOP is and how long you've had high IOP. In one study, when untreated ocular hypertension of 17 to 20 years was investigated, more than 35% of the participants had developed glaucoma severe enough to require medical attention.
