The disease usually affects both eyes, and over a period of months the consistently elevated pressure slowly damages the optic nerve and retina. Chronic glaucoma has no early warning signs and the associated loss of peripheral vision occurs so gradually, it may go unnoticed until a substantial amount of damage and vision loss has occurred. The only way to diagnose glaucoma early is through routine eye examinations. Congenital glaucoma, present at birth, is the result of defective development of the structures of the eye. Surgery is required for correction.
Congenital glaucoma is hereditary.
Risk factors depend on the type of glaucoma. The incidence is greater and symptoms develop at an earlier age among people of African ancestry. The risk factors for acute glaucoma are older age, farsightedness , family history of acute glaucoma, stress , and the use of systemic anticholinergic medications such as atropine or eye dilation drops in a high-risk individual. Acute , congenital, and secondary glaucoma are much less common than chronic glaucoma. A physical examination may be non-diagnostic.