Glaucoma: Causes

What causes glaucoma?

Glaucoma is typically caused by a buildup of pressure within the eye. This increase in pressure is generally due to an excess of naturally occurring fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye when the drainage mechanism cannot keep up with the rate of fluid production. However, the optic nerve damage typical of glaucoma can also occur without an increase in pressure within the eye. You can also have increased eye pressure, known as ocular hypertension, without any damage to your optic nerve or vision.

In open-angle glaucoma, the eye’s anatomy looks normal, and the cause of the increased pressure is usually not known. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs as a result of an anatomic abnormality or clogging in the anterior chamber angle, which is an important part of the eye’s drainage pathway. Congenital glaucoma is usually the result of delayed or abnormal development of the eye’s drainage mechanism.

Secondary glaucoma has many possible causes, including certain medications, especially corticosteroids; eye surgery, such as corneal transplants or cataract surgery; and eye trauma.

What are the risk factors for glaucoma?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing glaucoma. Not all people with risk factors will get glaucoma. Risk factors for glaucoma include:

• African American race, especially over the age of 40 years
• Age (over 60 years in Caucasians; over 40 years in African Americans)
• Family history of glaucoma
• Mexican American ethnicity, especially over the age of 60 years

Reducing your risk of glaucoma

The risk of developing glaucoma cannot be reduced. However, you may be able to reduce your risk of complications of glaucoma, including vision impairment or loss, by having regular eye examinations (frequency depends on your age and other risk factors).