RESEARCH ARTICLE
Risk Factors for Glaucoma Needing More Attention
Coleman Anne L* , 1 , 2 , Kodjebacheva Gergana1 , 3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2009Volume: 3
First Page: 38
Last Page: 42
Publisher ID: TOOPHTJ-3-38
DOI: 10.2174/1874364100903010038
Article History:
Received Date: 23/2/2009Revision Received Date: 12/3/2009
Acceptance Date: 20/4/2009
Electronic publication date: 17/9/2009
Collection year: 2009

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Glaucoma is defined as a chronic progressive optic neuropathy, for which elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor. Emerging research indicates that modifiable factors besides IOP may be associated with the presence of glaucoma. In this review, we discuss the role of modifiable determinants, specifically socioeconomic status, nutritional intake, body mass index and obesity, exercise, smoking, and sleep apnea, in the presence of glaucoma. Preliminary studies suggest that associations may exist between these non-inherent factors and glaucoma although research had significant limitations. The mechanisms of influence are unknown or understudied. Research needs to incorporate the broader behavioral and social factors that may affect glaucoma status.