News

Millions of Asians Face Glaucoma Blindness
By mivision
August 1, 2008

Millions of Asians Face Glaucoma Blindness

More than 8.4 million people in Asia will turn blind from glaucoma by 2010 if they do not get appropriate treatment, according to a recently released survey. The survey also indicated that Asian people were more likely to develop the disease than any other group of people. Glaucoma, which is irreversible damage on the optic nerve caused by high pressure within the eyeball, was the world's second leading cause of blindness after cataracts, according to data released by ‘All Eyes on Glaucoma', a global education campaign.


The ‘All Eyes on Glaucoma' campaign, sponsored by Pfizer Ophthalmics, was developed to drive public awareness of risk factors for glaucoma and the critical importance of appropriate diagnosis among atrisk populations to slow down the progression of the disease. High blood pressure, family
history and a prevalence of the disease among Asians were among the risk factors contributing to the predicted high figure, the group said. The World Glaucoma Association released the data at a media conference in Hong Kong recently with the aim of making Asians more aware of the disease and the treatment available.


Association president Ivan Goldberg said: "Whereas cataract can be cured by surgery, glaucoma can lead to irreversible loss of eyesight and is the single largest cause of preventable blindness in Asia."

More than 900 people from nine Asian countries, including China and India were interviewed for the survey, showing a low level of awareness of glaucoma. It showed that only 54 percent had even heard of glaucoma. "Asians are more prone to glaucoma because their eyes are generally smaller than Westerners, leading to higher pressure within the eyeball," said Clement Tham, professor of ophthalmology at Chinese University of Hong Kong. As many as 9.4 million people in China aged 40 or over have glaucoma at present. The World Glaucoma Association believes that if it's not treated the number of Chinese people with glaucoma will increase by about six million between 2010 and
2020. Mr. Goldberg underlined the fact that blindness from glaucoma can be prevented by early detection and the use of eye drops, laser treatment or surgery.