Does anybody know what causes glaucoma?

I am living in Sudan and glaucoma is quite common here unlike the UK. Why would it be more prevalent in this country?

inter cranial pressure..type that into a search engine :)

Aqueous humor is a clear fluid in the front part of the eye.

Vitreous humor is a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the eye behind the lens and helps the eyeball keep its shape.

In a normal eye, aqueous humor is produced, circulates through the eye, and then drains out through the trabecular meshwork, which is the eye's filtration system. This is a series of tiny channels near the angle formed by the cornea (the clear portion of the eye), the iris (the colored portion of the eye), and the sclera (the white of the eye).

If there is any sort of blockage in these channels, pressure builds up inside the eyeball.
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/glaucom...
It is not known what causes glaucoma. Risk factors include family history of glaucoma, increased intraocular (eye) pressure, decreased thickness of the central part of the cornea, low diastolic blood (eye perfusion) pressure, diabetes, severe near-sightedness. In addition, African-Americans have a 4-fold higher incidence of the most common type of glaucoma - this probably explains why it is more common in Sudan than in the U.K.
In addition, since glaucoma causes symptoms and vision loss only after many years without treatment, probably many more complications are prevented in the U.K. (where people more commonly see eye doctors) than in Sudan by early intervention.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/glau...
Glaucoma is a degenerative disease that if left untreated can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve resulting in gradual vision loss and eventual blindness.

Damage to the optic nerve, due to glaucoma, is usually caused by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Clear fluid, called aqueous humor circulates through the eye providing nourishment to the tissues pressure to help maintain the shape of the eye.

Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent but can usually be prevented with early detection and treatment. Glaucoma management is usually a lifelong process that requires frequent monitoring and constant treatment. Since there is no way to determine if glaucoma is under control based on how a person feels, doctor visits should be on a regular basis.

Personal Note: As far as I know your born with it, you didn鈥檛 do anything to cause it and you can鈥檛 do anything to get rid of it. You just have to go to the doctor and be treated. My mother and both aunts had it鈥?It was first detected when I was about 40, when my eye sight changed. I started getting glaucoma treatment at about 50. Please get a check up and see the doctor regularly.
Hi from France 鈾?br />
Check out :
http://www.eheadthmd.com/library/glaucom...
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/g/glaucoma...
http://www.apagrafix.com/patiented/glauc...
http://www.docshop.com/education/vision/...
http://www.diseases-explained.com/glauco...

Have a nice day,

Cat.