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Who is at risk for open-angle glaucoma?
Although open-angle glaucoma can affect anyone, it is most prevalent in Blacks over age 40 and anyone over age 60. As people grow older, age-related changes in the eyes make them more susceptible to open-angle glaucoma.
The National Eye Institute-supported Baltimore Eye Survey shows that by age 70, about one in 50 Whites will have the disease. In Blacks, the problem is more severe. For example:
- Blacks are three to four times more likely to develop open-angle glaucoma than Whites.
- Open-angle glaucoma develops earlier in Blacks--around age 40--than in Whites and progresses more rapidly. By age 70, one in eight Blacks has the disease.
- Open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness among Blacks. In fact, Blacks are about six times more likely to become blind from the disease than Whites.
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