Everyone should be concerned about glaucoma and its effects. It is important for each of us, from infants to senior citizens, to have our eyes checked regularly, because early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only ways to prevent vision impairment and blindness. There are a few conditions related to this disease which tend to put some people at greater risk. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, however, certain groups are at higher risk than others. It is recommended that people at high risk for glaucoma receive a complete eye exam that includes eye dilation every one to two years.

Those at high risk for glaucoma include:

• Age. Chronic glaucoma becomes much more common with increasing age. It is uncommon below the age of 40 but affects one per cent of people over this age and five per cent over 65.
  
  

• Race. If you are of African origin you are more at risk of chronic glaucoma and it may come on somewhat earlier and be more severe. So make sure that you have regular tests.
  
  

• Heredity. If you have a close relative who has chronic glaucoma then you should have eye tests at intervals. You should advise other members of your family to do the same. This is especially important if you are aged over 40 when tests should be done every two tears.
  
  

• Nearsightedness. People with a high degree of short sight are more prone to chronic glaucoma.
  
  

• Diabetes is believed to increase the risk of developing this condition.
  
  

• Steroid use. There is some evidence that links steroid use to glaucoma. For the most part, there seem to be no serious effects. However, a study reported in the Journal of American Medical Association, March 3, 2001, demonstrated a 40% increase in the incidence of ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma in adults who require approximately 14 to 35 puffs of steroid inhaler to control asthma. This is a very high dose and is only required in the cases of severe asthma.
  
  

• Eye Injury. Glaucoma can occur as the result of an eye injury immediately after the injury or years later. This is also known as traumatic glaucoma and is most often the result of a blunt trauma such as a blow to the head or an injury directly to the eye. The most common cause is from sports related injuries such as baseball or boxing. When a blunt trauma occurs, it can cause damage to the drainage system resulting in traumatic glaucoma. Glaucoma can also be caused by a penetrating injury.