Selected glaucoma risk factors and their role in disease progression. Part II – systemic and vascular factors

The aim of this article is to summarise recent knowledge regarding selected glaucoma risk factors and to provide a brief description of the possible interaction mechanism. According to the vascular theory of glaucoma, glaucoma is linked with inadequate vascular perfusion. The article mostly refers to the most common disease variant – primary open angle glaucoma and focuses on factors which primarily affect vascular component, including certain systemic conditions which may alter blood circulation. The analysed vascular factors include systemic diseases such as diabetes, as well as blood pressure (affecting ocular blood flow), autonomous dysfunction, ocular perfusion pressure and vascular endothelial dysfunction.