Glaucoma could turn 8.4 million Asians blind by 2010: survey

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

HONG KONG (AFP) — More than 8.4 million people in Asia will turn blind from glaucoma by 2010 if they do not undergo timely treatment, a region-wide survey released on Monday showed.

Glaucoma, irreversible damage on the optic nerve caused by high pressure within the eyeball, was the world's second leading cause of blindness after cataract, according to data released by All Eyes on Glaucoma, a global education campaign.

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.

"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," said Ivan...