Is There An Age Where Glaucoma Becomes More Serious?

Home » Blog » Is There An Age Where Glaucoma Becomes More Serious?

Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on March 18, 2021

Did you know that glaucoma is one of the top causes of blindness for people over 60? This condition can happen to anyone but is the most common in older people. Keep reading to find out if there’s an age where glaucoma becomes more serious!

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma happens when the pressure in your eye increases. This condition occurs when the fluid in the eye can’t drain out.

You may develop primary open-angle glaucoma if your eye drainage canals are clogged. This blockage prevents fluid from draining and increases pressure in your eyes.

This condition often has no symptoms because it progresses slowly. You could have primary open-angle glaucoma for years and not know it.

As the pressure builds, you can develop limited peripheral vision. You might notice patchy blind spots in one or both eyes. Untreated glaucoma can cause loss of central vision and total blindness.

There is no age when glaucoma suddenly becomes severe. However, those with primary open-angle glaucoma may not know they have the condition until vision loss has already occurred.

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma happens when eye pressure suddenly builds up because of blocked drainage canals. The condition can develop within a few hours.

You may experience an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack if your pupils suddenly dilate. The increase in pupil size can force the cornea and iris together.

This movement limits the angle between them and can block the fluid ducts. Symptoms of this acute attack include eye pain and severe headache.

Some people with acute angle-closure glaucoma have red eyes or see halos around lights. Others have blurred vision or feel nauseous and vomit.

Untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma can permanently damage your vision.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Age is the most significant risk factor when it comes to developing glaucoma. Those who are over age 60 are the most likely to develop the condition.

You might have an increased risk if you have immediate family members who have glaucoma. People who are Black, Hispanic, or Asian are also more likely to get glaucoma.

Thin corneas and extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness may be risk factors. Medications like corticosteroids and eye drops can increase your chances of the disease if you take them over a prolonged time.

Talk with your eye doctor if your medications may cause increased intraocular pressure. This hypertension can develop into glaucoma as the fluid pressure grows.

Schedule regular eye exams to look for signs of high eye pressure. Increased eye pressure can develop into glaucoma, damaging your eyes and leading to irreversible vision loss if it’s left untreated.

How often you should see your eye doctor for an eye exam depends on several factors, including refractive errors, eye health, and age. Ask your eye doctor how often you should come in for eye exams if you’re unsure.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, expect to see your eye doctor or ophthalmologist annually for an eye exam to ensure your prescriptions are up to date and current.

Are you concerned about glaucoma? Schedule a consultation at Missouri Eye Institute in Springfield, MO, with one of our experienced specialists!