American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam

A family history of glaucoma is considered a significant risk factor for developing the disease because genetics play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. When glaucoma is present in family members, the likelihood of other relatives developing the condition increases. Individuals with a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, are at a much higher risk compared to those without any family history.

This genetic predisposition may be attributed to inherited traits that influence intraocular pressure or structural vulnerabilities of the optic nerve, which are key elements in glaucoma development. Given the multifactorial nature of glaucoma, while other factors like age, systemic health, and environmental influences contribute to the overall risk, a family history remains one of the most potent indicators for an individual's risk of developing the condition.

Age is indeed a risk factor as well, and individuals over 50 have increased rates of glaucoma, but it doesn’t carry the same genetic implication as family history. High cholesterol levels and excessive UV light exposure have not been consistently demonstrated to have a significant link with glaucoma's incidence. Therefore, while various factors contribute to the risk of glaucoma, a family history stands out as a major, fixed risk that directly impacts one’s likelihood of developing the disease.