Home » Blog » 5 Signs You May Be at Risk for Glaucoma

Posted by: Georgia Eye Associates in Glaucoma

Vision is one of the most important gifts you have been given in life. That is why eye diseases which threaten to take away that gift are so scary. Glaucoma is one such disease.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve in the back of your eye, causing progressive vision loss over time. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss. Fortunately, with early intervention, you can prevent further vision loss from glaucoma

Anyone can develop glaucoma but there are certain factors which will put you at greater risk of developing the disease yourself. Let’s look at five signs you may be at risk for glaucoma:

• Family history of the disease

If you have family members who have been previously diagnosed with glaucoma, then you are at a higher risk of having the disease yourself. The most well-known kind of glaucoma, primary open-angle, is more common in individuals that have a family history of the disease.

• You have diabetes

Patients that have diabetes are at greater risk for developing certain eye diseases like glaucoma. However, you can reduce your risk by living a healthy lifestyle and staying on top of your blood sugar levels.

• You are from a certain ethnic background

Research has shown that African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and people from a Caribbean descent have a greater likelihood of having glaucoma.

• You are over the age of 60

Glaucoma can develop at any age but your chances do increase significantly once you are past the age of 60.

• You’ve had a previous eye injury

Blunt trauma to your eye or other eye injuries can cause inflammation in your eyes which puts you at increased risk for developing glaucoma. Make sure you always wear goggles if you are playing sports or engaging in activities where you are at risk for an eye injury.

Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself from glaucoma is by staying on top of your yearly comprehensive eye exam. Your doctor will look for signs of elevated eye pressure and damage to your optic nerve. To schedule your exam with one of our doctors, contact our Buckhead office today.