The number of people (aged 40-80 years) with glaucoma worldwide was estimated at 64.3 million in 2013, and is expected to increase to 76.0 million in 2020.
It is an eye disease which is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It is often referred to as a “silent killer” as it does not manifest any symptoms until extensive peripheral visual loss becomes apparent in the final stages of the disease.
Am I at risk of developing glaucoma?
Some of the risk factors for glaucoma are:
- Presence of glaucoma in other family members
- Increasing age – above 40 years
- Hypermetropia
- Thyroid disease
- Patients who are on long term steroid therapy for other diseases such as asthma, arthritis etc.
- Previous eye injury or surgery Hypermetropia (farsightedness)
Damage due to glaucoma may be more severe in those patients who have associated diabetes, widely fluctuating blood pressure and myopia.
Regular eye examination after 40 years of age is an important preventive measure. This can be repeated every 3 to 4 years if there are no symptoms and every 1 – 2 years if a family member has glaucoma, if you have diabetes, if you are on long term systemic steroids for some other disease, or if you have suffered a blunt eye injury in the past.
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