Is Glaucoma Hereditary?

The short answer to “Is glaucoma hereditary?”, is yes, it can be. However, the risk of developing it goes far deeper than having a family member who suffers/has suffered. There are many other factors that also raise the likelihood of glaucoma 

The truth is that we’re all at risk of a glaucoma diagnosis at some point. The following looks at the major factors that influence this and what we can do to help mitigate it.

The Risk Factors of Contracting Glaucoma

• The hereditary risk factor
• The ethnicity risk factor
• The medication risk factor
• The age risk factor
• The clinical risk factors

The hereditary risk factor

If you have an immediate family member (mother, father, or sibling) with glaucoma then your risk of a diagnosis increases by 4-9 times. However, this only applies to one type of glaucoma, known as “open-angle glaucoma”. This is the most common type of the disease.

If you fall into this category, then it’s very important to undergo regular eye checks throughout your life. This means that the condition will be caught at the earliest opportunity and steps can be taken to control it.

The ethnicity risk factor

African Americans are also at risk, with the likelihood of a diagnosis being 6-8 times higher than Caucasians. After cataracts, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people of African descent.

Those of Asian descent also have an increased risk of contracting a less common type of glaucoma, known as “angle-closure glaucoma”. Those of Japanese descent are at a higher risk of contracting “normal-tension glaucoma.’

For those with Hispanic roots, the risk factor increases after age 60. At this stage of life, this group has a higher proportion of diagnosis than those of other European descent.

The medication risk factor

Long-term steroid use can also raise the likelihood of contracting the condition. However, this only applies to those who take a very high dose over extended periods. For example, an asthma sufferer who uses over 14 puffs of their steroid inhaler to control the problem.

The age risk factor

Everyone over the age of 60 years has an increased risk. Older people are about 6 times more likely to receive a diagnosis than those who are younger.

The clinical risk factors

Certain clinical conditions also raise the risk. These include:

• Hypertension: (High blood pressure). However, this risk falls if you adhere to any medication regime that keeps your blood pressure within normal levels.
• Thin corneas: Less than 0.5 mm (0.02”).
• High myopia: (Severe nearsightedness).
• Eye trauma: Both penetrating trauma (where an object penetrates the eye or eye area) and blunt trauma (such as being punched) can increase the risk of two types of glaucoma. These are “traumatic glaucoma”—a type that prevents the eye’s drainage system from working correctly and “secondary open-angle glaucoma.”

While all these risk factors might sound frightening, there’s plenty that we can all do to reduce the chance of glaucoma. These are:

• Keeping your weight within normal parameters.
• Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Giving up (or not starting) poor life-choice habits, such as smoking tobacco and drinking excessive alcohol.
• Adhering to any medication regimes, such as blood pressure tablets or diabetes control.

And, very importantly, having regular eye exams throughout your life. That way, any problems are picked up early and appropriate treatment can be instigated.

Get the Ultimate Glaucoma Monitoring and Treatment at the WBEC

Glaucoma treatment is constantly evolving—and we specialize in the latest cutting-edge options at the West Boca Eye Center. From partnering with your general physician to ensure other health issues are kept under control to providing an advanced, tailored treatment plan, such as dropless glaucoma therapy, to stabilize and improve your eye health, there’s no better place in the U.S. to entrust your precious eyesight.

If you’re worried enough to be asking the question, “iI glaucoma hereditary”, then we probably need to speak…

Find out more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/glaucoma-dropless-therapy and call today to book a consultation.