WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
Myopia is a strong risk factor. For starters, myopic eyeballs are already stretched, making their optic nerves more fragile and susceptible to damage. “Weakness of the optic nerve as it enters the back of the eye is why there can be glaucomatous damage at relatively low pressures,” according to a study. In fact, said Dr Fan, “severe myopia (above 600 degrees) increases your life-time risk of glaucoma by about two to three times”.
The other risk factors, he added, include age, a family history, diabetes, trauma and the use of steroids. “Certain types of glaucoma are also associated with changes in our vascular system, such as having migraines, joint disorders and being female (for example, women’s hormonal changes and longer life expectancy can lead to a higher cumulative risk of age-related glaucoma).”
