Epidemiology of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision impairment globally and is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Early epidemiological studies focused on predominantly Caucasian populations in higher income countries. More recent studies have provided data for broader regions which have enabled more accurate modeling of the prevalence and morbidity of the disease. As more countries undergo their epidemiological transition, the burden of glaucoma worldwide is likely to increase significantly over the coming decades. This will require significant development of resources and technology to ensure health-care access for all those that require it. Several ocular and systemic risk factors have been well established for glaucoma. Other factors, such as corneal biomechanical properties, have become of interest recently. Future research may help define further risk factors, and the development of our understanding of the genetics of the condition may lead to a more accurate understanding of individual risk.