RESEARCH ARTICLE


Risk Factors for Glaucoma Needing More Attention



Coleman Anne L* , 1 , 2 , Kodjebacheva Gergana1 , 3
1 Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA), USA
2 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UCLA, USA
3 Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, UCLA, USA

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2009
Volume: 3
First Page: 38
Last Page: 42
Publisher ID: TOOPHTJ-3-38
DOI: 10.2174/1874364100903010038

Article History:

Received Date: 23/2/2009
Revision Received Date: 12/3/2009
Acceptance Date: 20/4/2009
Electronic publication date: 17/9/2009
Collection year: 2009

Article Metrics

CrossRef Citations:
0
Total Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 3253
Abstract HTML Views: 1516
PDF Downloads: 741
Total Views/Downloads: 5510
Unique Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 1291
Abstract HTML Views: 897
PDF Downloads: 550
Total Views/Downloads: 2738



Creative Commons License
© Coleman and Kodjebacheva; Licensee Bentham Open.

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.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90095-7004, USA; Tel: (310) 825- 5298; E-mail: coleman@jsei.ucla.edu


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.