Cases of blindness caused by glaucoma double

Cases of blindness caused by glaucoma have more than doubled worldwide, according to a study published by Anglia Ruskin University.

In the last two decades the number of people diagnosed with glaucoma has risen by 62%, with around 6.3 million people now suffering sight loss from the condition.

The proportion of those blinded by glaucoma worldwide rose from 4.4% to 6.6%, with the proportion of people with blindness or visual impairment more pronounced in high-income regions.

Led by Professor Rupert Bourne, the study was partly funded by the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation, Fight for Sight, the Fred Hollows Foundation, and the Brien Holden Vision Institute.