An estimated 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. However, the number of people at risk of developing the disease could be much higher.
The reason lies in one simple question: “Is glaucoma hereditary?”
In many cases, yes. Once thought to be a degenerative disease, glaucoma is now considered one of the most heritable conditions. Recent studies have linked more than 100 genes to glaucoma or elevated eye pressure, and research is ongoing.
However, family history is only one part of the picture. Age, overall health, and other risk factors can also influence whether glaucoma develops. And while glaucoma in the family does not mean you will definitely get the condition, it does make regular eye examinations with a glaucoma specialist in Perth especially important.
