Glaucoma: Family Inheritance & Genetic Risks

There are many good things passed down from one generation to the next. Some include physical attributes like facial features, personality traits like a great sense of humor or the motivation to succeed, and even material riches. Unfortunately, it’s also possible to inherit medical conditions, including glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. While glaucoma can occur due to various factors, including age, high intraocular pressure (IOP), and eye injuries, genetics can also play a significant role.

Genetic studies have suggested that more than 50 percent of glaucoma is familial. It’s very strongly hereditary, especially among siblings; the rate of glaucoma can be 10 times higher among individuals with a sibling who has glaucoma. It’s likely that 15 percent of glaucoma patients have at least one sibling who has glaucoma, and that individual may be totally unaware of the disease. But remember — anyone who is a blood relative is at increased risk. That means that one of the most important things you can do is to talk about glaucoma with your family and encourage them to take steps to preserve their vision.

Hereditary glaucoma, also known as inherited glaucoma, is passed down from one generation to another through genetic inheritance. It’s caused by mutations in specific genes responsible for the development and function of the eye’s drainage system, or outflow, which helps regulate the eye’s IOP. IOP, or intraocular pressure, is the pressure inside the eye and is maintained by the balance between the production and drainage of the aqueous humor, a clear fluid that fills the front part of the eye. When the drainage system is not functioning correctly, the IOP can become elevated, leading to damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.

There are several types of hereditary glaucoma, and the specific type can depend on the genetic mutations. Some common types include:

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, characterized by a gradual loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve. POAG is generally caused by an increase in IOP, which can be due to various factors, including genetics. It is much more common in people of African descent.

Congenital Glaucoma
Congenital glaucoma is present at birth and is caused by abnormal eye drainage system development. It’s a rare form of glaucoma that can be inherited from a person’s parents.

Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Primary angle-closure glaucoma is caused by a blockage in the eye’s drainage system, leading to an increase in IOP. It can be hereditary and is more common in people of Asian descent.

Pigmentary Glaucoma
Pigmentary glaucoma is caused by the accumulation of pigment in the eye’s drainage system, leading to a blockage and an increase in IOP. It can be inherited and is less common in people of African descent.

There are several risk factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing hereditary glaucoma, including:

Family History
People with a family history of glaucoma, especially a parent or sibling, are at an increased risk.

Ethnicity
Some ethnicities, like African Americans, Latinos, and people of Scandinavian descent, have an increased risk.

Age
The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age and is more common in people over 60.

Other Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), and hypothyroidism, can increase a person’s risk of developing glaucoma.

If you have a family history of glaucoma, it is essential to let your eye doctor know. If family members have lost vision or become blind due to glaucoma, it’s even more important to take action so you can catch it at an early stage. Make a commitment to get a complete eye exam, including eye dilation. Sharing your family history of glaucoma with your doctor can help them be on the lookout for early signs of the condition and take the necessary steps to treat it.

If you have glaucoma, let your family members know about your condition and encourage them to have a comprehensive dilated eye examination — the best way to detect glaucoma. When you share your health information with family members — letting them know you have glaucoma and that they may be at risk — you are potentially giving them the gift of sight. Family gatherings are a good opportunity to get valuable family health history information when multiple family members are present and can contribute to the family knowledge.

First posted January 17, 2023; reviewed and updated May 4, 2026. This article was reviewed for medical accuracy by Sandra Sieminski, MD. Thank you to Constance Okeke, MD, MSCE for contributing to this article.