My Mom Had Glaucoma – Am I At Risk Too?

Some eye conditions have genetic risk factors. Is glaucoma one of them? If you have a close relative with glaucoma, it’s important to know whether you are at increased risk for glaucoma yourself. Your eye doctor in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area can answer your questions, but below is some information that can help you determine your risk level for this serious eye condition.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure in the eye.

What Are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?

Anyone can get glaucoma. However, you are at increased risk to get this condition if:

• you are African American, over age 40
• you are an adult over age 60
• glaucoma runs in your family
• you have diabetes

In other words, if your mother had glaucoma, you are at increased risk to get the condition yourself. If you have an increased risk of getting glaucoma, your eye doctor may recommend getting a comprehensive eye exam on a regular basis.

How Can You Tell If You Have Glaucoma?

If you have glaucoma, you may or may not notice any symptoms in the beginning. For some types of glaucoma, the first symptoms are damage to the eyesight. Once visions is lost due to glaucoma, the damage is permanent.

Because some types of glaucoma have no symptoms until vision is lost, the only way to know for sure if you have glaucoma is to see the eye doctor regularly. Your eye doctor can diagnose the condition.

If you have glaucoma, it’s important to get glaucoma treatment in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area as soon as you’re diagnosed. The earlier you get treatment, the better. Call Lappen Eye Care today to get diagnosis and treatment.