Glaucoma to become an ‘epidemic’ in UK by 2050

A glaucoma crisis is expected to put huge pressure on an already stretched health system, with the condition predicted to affect 3.2 million by 2050.

Health experts from the National Eye Research Centre have said that the number of formally diagnosed cases in the UK is likely to exceed 1.28 million over the next 30 years – an increase of 85% on today – and with many more people living undiagnosed with the condition.

Mike Daw, CEO of the National Eye Research Centre, said: ‘We’ve found that while detection rates are increasing over time, the symptomless nature of glaucoma in its early stages means that in 2050, almost two million people may be affected.’