[Risk factors associated with glaucoma].

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The different clinical forms of glaucoma share in common an optic nerve head neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review article. RESULTS: For a long time, a high intraocular pressure (IOP) has been considered to be the only risk factor associated with glaucoma. By extension it has even been considered that glaucoma was equivalent to a high IOP, and thus only an affection of the anterior segment of the eye. The fact to consider glaucoma as an affection of the posterior segment has changed our conceptual approach of this disease. It has allowed us to look for other risk factors associated with this affection. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of different potentially treatable risk factors opens new therapeutical perspectives for glaucoma.