Glaucoma week: Worldwide involvement

Although it represents a leading cause of irreversible blindness, awareness among the public about the dangers of glaucoma is lacking. Those in the optical profession are acquainted with the irreversible sight loss glaucoma can cause and no doubt encourage patients to come in for regular check-ups.

The incidence of glaucoma is increasing worldwide however, and more needs to be done to stem the tide. At the age of 40 one in 200 people has glaucoma, with the figure rising to one in eight by the age of 80. A growing, ageing global population currently contains an estimated 78 million people suffering from the disease, and by 2040 this is expected to increase to over 112 million. In one US survey commissioned by Allergan, approximately 40% of people considered glaucoma to be either somewhat or not very serious. This shows a lack of awareness regarding the disease’s severity.