What are the risk factors for glaucoma?

• A. Family history, age over 40, diabetes, and history of ocular problems
• B. Regular exercise and healthy diet
• C. Smoking only
• D. No known risk factors

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma risk rises when factors increase the likelihood of optic nerve damage from elevated eye pressure or reduced nerve perfusion. Family history signals genetic susceptibility, so having relatives with glaucoma raises your personal risk. Age over 40 reflects cumulative changes in eye drainage and nerve resilience, making older individuals more prone. Diabetes contributes to microvascular changes and altered optic nerve blood flow, which can heighten risk. A history of ocular problems, such as prior eye trauma or chronic eye conditions, can disrupt normal intraocular pressure balance or optic nerve vulnerability, increasing the chance of glaucoma.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet support overall health but are not direct risk factors for glaucoma. Smoking has some associations with eye health, but it isn’t established as a definitive, standalone risk factor in the same way as the combination above. Saying there are no known risk factors is incorrect because several well-recognized factors raise the likelihood of developing glaucoma.

So, the combination of family history, age over 40, diabetes, and a history of ocular problems best describes the risk factors for glaucoma.