5
points
2
1-4
22
mmHg
6
%
31
0-100
5
points
2
1-4
22
mmHg
6
%
31
0-100
The Glaucoma Risk Calculator assesses your risk of developing or progressing open-angle glaucoma based on established clinical risk factors. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting over 80 million people globally, with projections reaching 112 million by 2040.
Glaucoma is a group of progressive optic neuropathies characterized by damage to the optic nerve and corresponding visual field loss. The most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), develops gradually and painlessly, often without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred — earning it the nickname "the silent thief of sight."
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important modifiable risk factor. While normal IOP ranges from 10-21 mmHg, glaucoma can occur at any pressure (normal-tension glaucoma), and elevated IOP does not always cause glaucoma (ocular hypertension). The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) demonstrated that lowering IOP by 20% reduced the 5-year risk of developing glaucoma from approximately 9.5% to 4.4% in ocular hypertensive patients.
Central corneal thickness (CCT) affects IOP measurement accuracy and is an independent risk factor. Thinner corneas (below 555 μm) are associated with higher glaucoma risk, partly because they cause IOP to be underestimated by Goldmann tonometry and partly as an independent structural risk factor. The average CCT is approximately 545 μm, with significant variation.
Other major risk factors include age (prevalence increases from 0.6% at age 40-49 to 8% at age 80+), family history (first-degree relatives have 4-10 times higher risk), African and Hispanic descent (3-4 times higher prevalence and earlier onset), and myopia (2-3 times increased risk with moderate to high myopia).
This calculator synthesizes these risk factors into an actionable risk assessment, supporting informed decisions about screening frequency and the threshold for initiating preventive treatment.
The calculator scores multiple risk factors and adjusts IOP for corneal thickness:
Risk Category 1 (Low): Routine eye exams every 2-4 years. Category 2 (Moderate): Annual comprehensive eye exams with IOP and optic nerve assessment. Category 3 (High): Consider referral to a glaucoma specialist; may benefit from more frequent monitoring or prophylactic IOP-lowering treatment. Category 4 (Very High): Glaucoma specialist evaluation recommended; treatment initiation should be strongly considered. The CCT-Adjusted IOP provides a more accurate IOP estimate. This is a screening tool — definitive diagnosis requires comprehensive ophthalmic examination including visual field testing and optic nerve imaging.
Inputs
Results
Score 8 (High Risk). IOP 24 with thin cornea (530 μm) adjusts to ~25 mmHg. Annual monitoring and specialist referral recommended.
Inputs
Results
Score 0 (Low Risk). Normal IOP, thick cornea, no risk factors. Routine eye exams every 2-4 years.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, causing progressive, irreversible vision loss. The most common type (open-angle glaucoma) develops slowly without pain. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting over 80 million people.
IOP is the fluid pressure inside the eye, normally 10-21 mmHg. It is determined by the balance between aqueous humor production and drainage. Elevated IOP is the primary modifiable risk factor for glaucoma, though the disease can occur at any pressure.
CCT is the thickness of the cornea at its center, measured in micrometers (μm). Average is about 545 μm. Thinner corneas cause IOP to be underestimated and are an independent glaucoma risk factor. CCT is measured by pachymetry.
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be effectively controlled. Treatment (eye drops, laser, surgery) lowers IOP to prevent further optic nerve damage. Vision already lost cannot be recovered, which is why early detection through screening is crucial.
People of African descent have 3-4 times higher prevalence of open-angle glaucoma, develop it at younger ages, and tend to have more aggressive disease. This is likely due to a combination of genetic factors, optic nerve anatomy, and corneal thickness differences.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends comprehensive eye exams every 2-4 years for ages 40-54, every 1-3 years for 55-64, and every 1-2 years for 65+. Higher-risk individuals should be screened more frequently.
Yes, moderate to high myopia (≥-3D) increases glaucoma risk 2-3 times. The mechanisms include altered lamina cribrosa structure, thinner retinal nerve fiber layer, and possibly altered biomechanical susceptibility to IOP-related damage.
First-line: prostaglandin analog eye drops (latanoprost, bimatoprost). Second-line: beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Laser: selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). Surgery: trabeculectomy, tube shunts, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) occurs when optic nerve damage develops despite IOP consistently below 21 mmHg. It accounts for about 30-40% of open-angle glaucoma. Risk factors include vasospasm, low blood pressure, thin corneas, and Japanese ancestry.
Yes, having a first-degree relative with glaucoma increases risk 4-10 times. Multiple genes (MYOC, OPTN, WDR36, and others) have been associated with glaucoma susceptibility. Family members of glaucoma patients should have regular eye examinations starting at age 35.
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