Irreversible blindness due to Glaucoma increasing in India: Experts advocate for timely eye checkup

• Data shows 90% of glaucoma cases in India remain undetected and untreated, leading to irreversible blindness each year due to lack of awareness.

Bengaluru, 12 March 2025: Glaucoma continues to be a growing public health challenge globally, and particularly in India with over 12 million people affected in the country. The chronic eye disease progressively damages the optic nerve, often without noticeable symptoms, resulting in vision loss and can eventually cause blindness if left untreated.

As per studies, Asia is expected to witness the growing burden of glaucoma with 27.8 million additional glaucoma cases by 2040, with India and China to witness a steep rise in the prevalence.  Alarmingly, several studies state around 90% of glaucoma cases in India remain undetected and untreated, leading to irreversible blindness each year due to lack of awareness.

The asymptomatic nature of glaucoma is a major challenge for timely diagnosis. Patients often perceive their vision as normal, even as optic nerve damage progresses. The lack of perceived symptoms leads to delay in seeking medical attention at the right time. Glaucoma prevalence is higher among adults aged 40 and above, affecting 2.7% to 4.3% of the elderly population, as reports suggest. The glaucoma-related blindness in India is concerning, affecting approximately 1.2 million people, and accounting for 5.5% of all blindness cases nationwide.

Dr. Asha M S, Senior consultant and Glaucoma specialist at Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital emphasizes that patients are often unaware they have the disease until substantial damage has occurred, stating, “Patients often have no idea that they have glaucoma, until significant damage has been caused. Sometimes patients also question the necessity of tests even when their vision feels fine. Most of these cases are detected through routine eye check-ups. That is the insidious nature of glaucoma —it is a silent thief of sight. This silent progression needs immediate medical intervention. Hence, it makes awareness and early detection essential. Routine check-ups are vital for early detection and preventing irreversible sight loss.”

This underscores the importance of early detection and regular checkups through the urgent need for increased awareness and proactive screening initiatives. While intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor, early detection of increased pressure allows timely medical intervention, preventing or slowing down the progression.

By the time one faces visual impairments, such as peripheral vision loss, the damage is often irreversible. This is particularly concerning as many people begin to experience age-related changes in their vision in their 40s –  a crucial window for glaucoma screening.

“We need to have awareness campaigns and spread the message regarding the importance of regular eye checkups, especially for people aging over 40s. Older adults living alone often face challenges in accessing healthcare due to social isolation, hindering timely glaucoma diagnosis and treatment. Hence, it is important to take proactive measures to prevent the progression and mitigate the damaging consequences of glaucoma,” Dr. Asha M S adds further highlighting the challenges faced by the elderly population in accessing healthcare services.

“There is an urgent need for widespread awareness campaigns, educating the public about the importance of regular comprehensive eye examinations, including intraocular pressure measurement, visual field testing, and optic nerve imaging. These are crucial for people aging over 40, and ones with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, or high myopia. Medical advancements, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analysis, enable the detection of pre-perimetric glaucoma, identifying nerve damage before visual field loss occurs,” states Dr. Asha M S .

By addressing the challenges of unawareness and inaccessibility, we can reduce the growing burden of glaucoma in future and safeguard millions of vision loss. To create awareness on Glaucoma, World Glaucoma Week is celebrated globally, and this year’s theme is ‘See the Future Clearly’, highlighting the importance of early detection, regular eye care, and community education. Routine eye check-ups are crucial for early detection. It is also important for the patients to be aware about the long-term nature of glaucoma management. Moreover, eye screenings initiatives are essential for increasing public awareness of glaucoma, its symptoms, and the significance of regular eye examinations.