Of all the causes of irreversible blindness, glaucoma tops the list. No other condition causes as much permanent loss of vision as does glaucoma. If we include all types of blinding conditions (even reversible ones) glaucoma is still ranked #2.
Only cataracts cause more worldwide blindness – and this is only so because there are not enough surgeons to treat everyone with cataracts. In industrialized countries everyone knows someone who has had cataract surgery. You may not be aware of it, but you also know someone with glaucoma. Yes, it’s that common. In fact, just over 1 in 30 people aged 40-80 have glaucoma.[1]
“60-70 million people worldwide have glaucoma”
It’s believed that 60-70 million people worldwide have glaucoma.[2] Approximately 3 million people in the United States alone have this condition. Based on population growth and increased longevity it’s estimated that over 110 million people may have glaucoma by 2040[3].
Why does this matter? Glaucoma is a blinding disease. Governments need to estimate rates of blindness as this information can help them budget for health care and disability costs. More importantly, if people realize that glaucoma is such a common eye disease they may be more likely to get screened for this condition. Screening may detect glaucoma early enough that blindness could be prevented or delayed.
References
1) Tham YC, Li X, Wong TY, et al. Global Prevalence of Glaucoma and Projections of Glaucoma Burden through 2040. Ophthalmol. 2014;(article in press):1-10.
2) Thylefors B, Negrel AD, Pararajasegaram R, et al. Global data on blind-ness. Bull World Health Organ. 1995;73(1):115–121.3.
Quigley HA. Number of people with glaucoma worldwide. Br J Ophthal-mol. 1996;80(5):389–393.2.
Friedman DS, Wolfs RC, O’Colmain BJ, et al. Prevalence of open-angleglaucoma among adults in the United States. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122(4):532–538.
Tham YC, Li X, Wong TY, et al. Global Prevalence of Glaucoma and Projections of Glaucoma Burden through 2040. Ophthalmol. 2014;(article in press):1-10.
3) Tham YC, Li X, Wong TY, et al. Global Prevalence of Glaucoma and Projections of Glaucoma Burden through 2040. Ophthalmol. 2014;(article in press):1-10.
Glaucoma Patient Stories
Listen to the stories of some glaucoma patients. You will realize that just like you, they too had a lot of fears before undergoing their eye procedures. But look at them now! They not only got their vision, but their life back as well. Yes, we’ve helped thousands of others like you. We can help you too!
