March 7-13 is observed as the World Glaucoma Week every year. The observation is an initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and is aimed at raising awareness on glaucoma. The World Health Organization has identified glaucoma as the second most common cause of irreversible blindness after cataract. The worldwide prevalence of glaucoma is 3.54%, while that in Asia ranges between 0.94-4.73%. In India, about 2.3-4.7% population is affected by glaucoma.
Although the prevalence in India may vary with places, it is highest for angle-closure glaucoma. The prevalence of primary open-angle and primary closed-angle glaucoma is equal in the country. The understanding of glaucoma and its underlying mechanisms have significantly evolved in the past decades. Currently, the medical world envisages a strong role of technologies such as artificial intelligence and genetics in managing…
