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In a new study by a number of universities from across the pond in the United States, it has been claimed that glaucoma risks can be heightened by three factors, your age, whether you are male or female and whereabouts you live. The study focused on possible causes and reasons for a person to suffer from pseudoexfoliation syndrome, which itself can lead to glaucoma in a patient.
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome, or PEX, is a systemic disease which primarily affects the eyes. The disease causes a build up of protein lumps, causing the normal draining of eye fluid to become blocked and inefficient. This process in turn can lead to a build up of pressure which again, in turn, leads to visual issues, loss of sight and glaucoma. As it currently stands there is no known exact cause for the condition although a wide variety of theories have been put forward as possible leads, with many believing that the condition could also have a genetic basis.
Before this study began, the following risks had been attributed to the disease PEX:
- Women are more likely to suffer from pseudoexfoliation syndrome
- People over the age of 70 are most at risk
- Links had been made with the Scandinavian region
Following the study, researchers from the combined American university departments found that:
- Women are indeed more vulnerable to the disease PEX
- PEX could not be established as having roots in Scandinavia, primarily Norway
- Environment and the area that you reside are factors:
Residents of middle tier America: 47% reduced risk
Residents of south tier America: 75% reduced risk - Age is a confirmed association
- Family history is a factor in the eye related condition
The study covered approximately 80,000 women and data from 40,000 men, residents of the US.