At What Age Does Glaucoma Risk Increase?

You may expect to need reading glasses as you get older. You may also develop cataracts as you get older, which can be reversed with surgery. Glaucoma, however, deserves a different kind of attention because it can threaten your sight without warning.

Glaucoma risk increases with age, particularly after 60. Black adults face increased risk earlier, around age 40, while family history and other factors can raise risk at any age. The National Eye Institute identifies these groups as priorities for regular, comprehensive eye exams.

Knowing your risk helps you make informed decisions without assuming vision loss comes with aging.

Glaucoma describes a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from your eye to your brain. The most common form, open-angle glaucoma, usually develops gradually and is often asymptomatic. 

When the optic nerve is damaged in glaucoma, it usually causes damage to your peripheral vision first, which can go unnoticed; about half of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. You might still read, drive, and recognize faces while the disease progresses. Feeling comfortable with your vision doesn’t rule out glaucoma.

No single birthday marks the start of glaucoma risk. Instead, age helps eye doctors assess your risk alongside your family history and eye health.

A complete eye exam around age 40 is recommended, as early signs of eye disease often begin then. That exam gives your doctor a baseline to track future changes.

Glaucoma becomes more common among older adults. The Glaucoma Research Foundation highlights adults older than 60 as a higher-risk group and notes increased risk among older Hispanic adults.

An increased risk doesn’t mean you will develop glaucoma. Still, regular eye care deserves a place on your calendar, even when your glasses seem to work perfectly.

Age tells only part of the story. The Glaucoma Research Foundation also identifies several important risk factors:

Ask relatives whether anyone has glaucoma, and share what you learn with your eye doctor. Keep in mind, some of your family members may be taking drops for glaucoma, but are not even aware that they have the disease. You may want to ask relatives whether they take eye drops or whether anyone in the family has gone blind. Bring a medication list, and mention past eye injuries, even if they happened years ago. Those details help your doctor look beyond age alone.

High eye pressure deserves attention, but it doesn’t automatically mean glaucoma. Conversely, some people develop glaucoma despite pressure readings within the normal range.

The National Eye Institute recommends comprehensive dilated eye exams every one to two years for higher-risk adults who don’t have glaucoma. Your doctor may recommend shorter intervals based on your findings.

A glaucoma evaluation involves more than checking your glasses prescription or measuring eye pressure. Your doctor examines the optic nerve, evaluates side vision, and may assess your eye’s drainage angle and corneal thickness. The Glaucoma Research Foundation explains these tests and how they help detect changes.

Even if your vision seems normal, schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam if you fall into any of these categories:

Before leaving, ask when to return and whether any findings need closer monitoring.

A diagnosis can feel unsettling, but treatment can help protect your remaining vision. Eye drops, laser procedures, and surgery can lower eye pressure and limit further damage. However, treatment can’t restore sight that glaucoma has already taken.

Follow your treatment plan, keep appointments, and tell your doctor about side effects or difficulties using medication.

Sudden, severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, or nausea may signal acute angle-closure glaucoma. Seek immediate medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Researchers continue to expand our understanding of glaucoma every day. Their tireless work offers hope for new and improved treatments. Recent advances include innovative drug-delivery methods, laser treatments, and less invasive surgical techniques. You can help speed that process when you support the Glaucoma Research Foundation! Your gift makes a difference for everyone affected by glaucoma.

Posted on November 13, 2026. Reviewed for medical accuracy by Sandra F. Sieminski, MD.