The Silent Thief: 5 Surprising Risk Factors for Glaucoma

Glaucoma often develops quietly, and many people never notice the early changes. The condition affects the optic nerve, and it can gradually steal your vision without warning. You may feel perfectly fine, yet the pressure inside your eye may already be rising. 

Because glaucoma progresses silently, you need to understand the risks that increase your chances of developing it. Some of these risks may surprise you, and recognizing them early can help you protect your sight.

In Santa Monica, California, board-certified ophthalmologist E. Joseph Nadji, MD, and our team want you to have the information you need to keep your eyes healthy. 

Understanding how glaucoma affects your vision

Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve, which carries visual information from your eye to your brain. When the pressure inside the eye increases, it places stress on this nerve. Over time, this pressure can reduce your ability to see clearly. You may lose peripheral vision first, and you may not notice the change until it becomes significant. 

The slow and subtle process is why many people call glaucoma the silent thief of sight. When you understand what raises your risk, you have the chance to catch the disease earlier and preserve your vision.

1. Family history that raises your risk

Your family history plays a major role in your glaucoma risk. If a parent, sibling, or grandparent has glaucoma, you have a higher chance of developing it, too. Genetics influence the way your eye drains fluid and maintains pressure. When these structures don’t function as they should, pressure rises. 

You may not feel any discomfort, so you may not suspect that anything is wrong. That’s why  Dr. Nadji needs to know about any relatives who have glaucoma. When you share that information, you help him create a more effective screening plan.

2. Eye pressure that stays high without symptoms

Your eye constantly produces fluid, and that fluid needs a clear path to drain. When those drainage channels narrow or clog, pressure builds. Many people live with high eye pressure and never notice any symptoms. You may not feel pain or see changes in your vision, yet the pressure continues to push against the optic nerve. 

Elevated pressure doesn’t always mean you have glaucoma, but it does raise your risk. Regular eye exams allow Dr. Nadji to measure that pressure and monitor it over time. The routine monitoring matters because you can’t feel the pressure changing on your own.

People often experience higher eye pressure when they have narrow drainage angles, thicker corneas, or age-related changes in the eye. These features don’t cause discomfort, so you may not notice them, but Dr. Nadji can detect them during a comprehensive eye exam.

3. Medications that increase your risk

Some medications can raise your eye pressure, especially if you use them often or at high doses. Steroids create the biggest concern. You may use steroid eye drops for allergies. You may use inhaled steroids for asthma. You may use steroid creams for skin conditions. 

These medications help many conditions, but they can also affect the drainage system in your eyes. When that system slows down, the pressure rises. If you take steroids regularly, make sure Dr. Nadji knows, so he can monitor your pressure more closely.

4. Medical conditions that affect your eyes

Certain health conditions raise your risk of glaucoma because they influence blood flow, inflammation, or eye pressure. Diabetes can change the blood vessels that supply the eye. High blood pressure can affect circulation. Conditions like migraines and sleep apnea can create fluctuations in blood flow that impact the optic nerve. 

When these conditions affect your overall health, they may also affect your eyes. Dr. Nadji can help you manage these risks when you share your full health history.

5. Eye injuries that increase long-term risk

An eye injury may raise your glaucoma risk many years after the accident. A blow to the eye can damage the drainage system without causing symptoms at the time. Scar tissue can develop, and that tissue can block the normal flow of fluid. 

Even if the injury happened during childhood, the long-term effects may continue. If you ever experienced trauma to your eye, Dr. Nadji needs to know.

Protect your vision with early detection

You can’t feel glaucoma developing, but you can take steps to protect your sight. Regular eye exams allow Dr. Nadji to measure eye pressure, evaluate your optic nerve, and detect early damage. Call the office or schedule an appointment online to receive personalized eye care assistance.