A: More than 400,000 Canadians have glaucoma, occurring most commonly amongst individuals 40 years of age or older. Besides age, other risk factors include: elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), family history of glaucoma, preexisting optic nerve conditions, background of African descent, high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, and high blood pressure.

If you are deemed at-risk or are over the age of 35, regular eye examinations are recommended as a preventative measure against glaucoma.