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Glaucoma risk factors
Although anyone can develop glaucoma, some people have higher glaucoma risk factors than others. They include:
- Those with high eye pressure (elevated intraocular pressure or IOP).
- Those over age 60 are six times more likely to get glaucoma.
- Those with a family history of glaucoma.
- Those with diabetes.
- African-Americans over age 40 (6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma, and 6 to 17 times more likely to go blind from the disease than Caucasians).11 Astrani S, Zeimer R, Wilensky J, et al. Large diurnal fluctuations in introaocular pressure are an independent risk factor in patients with glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2000;9:134-142.
- Hispanics, particularly those over age 60.
- Asian-Americans (greater risk of closed-angle glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma than Caucasians).22 Yanoff M, Duker JS. Ophthalmology. 1st ed. London, UK: Mosby International Ltd; 1999.
- Those who have used oral steroids or cortisone medications regularly over a long period of time.
- Those who have had a previous eye injury.
- Those with high blood pressure.
Other possible risk factors include:
- Those with severe nearsightedness (myopia).
- Hypertension.
- Central corneal thickess less than .5mm.
If you have any of these glaucoma risk factors, see your eye doctor regularly for glaucoma prevention and early diagnosis.
People with no risk factors should have their eyes tested at least once between 35 and 40 years of age, every two to four years after age 40, and then every one to two years after age 60.
- Astrani S, Zeimer R, Wilensky J, et al. Large diurnal fluctuations in introaocular pressure are an independent risk factor in patients with glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2000;9:134-142.
- Yanoff M, Duker JS. Ophthalmology. 1st ed. London, UK: Mosby International Ltd; 1999.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
INDICATION
TRAVATAN Z® Solution is a prescription medicine to lower eye pressure in patients with glaucoma who have trouble tolerating their current medicine or for whom that medication is not working well enough.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications:
Do not use TRAVATAN Z® Solution if you are hypersensitive to travoprost or any other ingredients in this product.
Precautions and Warnings:
Some patients may experience darkening of the iris (the colored part of the eye) which is most noticeable in patients who only receive treatment in one eye. Patients may also experience growth and thickening of their eyelashes, and/or darkening of the skin around the eye. These changes may be permanent.
Side Effects:
The most common side effect with TRAVATAN Z® Solution is redness of the eye (also known as ocular hyperemia). Other side effects include eye discomfort, a feeling of something in the eye, eye pain and itching.
For more information, please see the full prescribing information