Condition That Causes Irreversible Blindness Is Set To Increase In Cases

New estimates published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology predict that at least 1.6 million people in the UK will be living with glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, by 2060. 

This is a significant increase from the current 1.1 million people estimated to have the condition and is expected to be driven due to an increasingly ageing population and growth in the proportion of higher-risk ethnically diverse groups.

As a result, researchers are calling for an expansion of eye health services and encouraging people to get their eyes checked regularly.

Researchers urge people to pay attention to eye health

In a statement, the study’s lead author Professor Paul Foster, a UCL Institute of Ophthalmology researcher and consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: “Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness, but it isn’t symptomatic until its later stages, so regular tests are important for early diagnosis. Previous studies have estimated that half of glaucoma cases are undiagnosed, and this is even higher among some ethnic minority groups who are more likely to experience delays in diagnosis.

“Late diagnosis comes with a higher risk of sight loss and higher costs of care; over 40% of glaucoma patients in the UK experience vision loss that could have been prevented with earlier diagnosis and treatment such as eye drops or surgery.”

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

According to the NHS, glaucoma is often symptomless and can only be picked up during routine eye tests. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include:

• intense eye pain
• a red eye
• tenderness around the eyes
• seeing rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights
• blurred vision
• feeling sick (nausea) and being sick
• a headache.

Additionally, the NHS urges that everybody should go for eye tests every two years. However, if you’re at a higher risk of glaucoma – for example if you have a brother, sister or parent with it – you may be advised to have eye tests more often.