People with myopia three times more likely to develop Glaucoma: Doctors

Bengaluru, January 18, 2023: People with myopia have two to three times higher risk of developing glaucoma compared to those with normal eyesight, doctors of Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital have said during the ongoing Glaucoma Awareness Month. Myopia, the leading cause of refractive error, affects about 10-20 percent of the Indian population. Glaucoma, on the other hand, is the third leading cause of blindness in India. Said Dr. Ram S Mirlay, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr. Agarwals Hospital, Bengaluru: “There is a two-three-fold increased risk of Glaucoma in people having moderate to high myopia. The risk is independent of the fluid pressure of the eye.  About 30% of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) patients have myopia. The probability of someone with myopia going on to develop Glaucoma depends on age, family history and the level of myopia, whether mild or severe.

He added: “Thin corneas, high myopia or family history are risk factors for developing Glaucoma. Over the years, individuals having both myopia and glaucoma would experience negative changes in their vision. Regular eye checkups are crucial in these cases to check for progression of the disease and follow a proper treatment plan.”

Said Dr. P Sunitha, Consultant – Ophthalmologist at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, “Considering the linkage between myopia and Glaucoma, it is important to take several preventive steps. Myopia can be controlled in children by limiting their near-work activities like reading, computer use, playing video games, and watching TV from close distance, all of which impose a high visual demand on their eyes. They should be encouraged to spend more time in outdoor activities. It is also important to wear proper corrective lenses. People with myopia should get their eyes checked up twice a year. Lack of awareness, limited access to diagnostic equipment and poor compliance for regular eye checkups are some of the diagnostic challenges in identifying glaucoma and myopia in early stages.”

Said Dr. Ram S Mirlay: “Two eye-screening studies done in 2012 at a school in Kolar between the age of 6-16 years found an 11.5% prevalence of myopia. In 2016, a study at Udupi found a myopia prevalence of 4%. India is the second most populated country in the world with around 41% of population above 18 years of age. The incidence of myopia would be significant.”

“Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which gradually leads to loss of eyesight. Peripheral vision is affected first. One of the major risk factors is high eye pressure. There are no warning signs till significant damage has already been done. Treatment mainly revolves around lowering the Intraocular pressure (the fluid pressure of the eye) through medication or laser surgery. About 12 million people, aged 40 years and older, suffer from glaucoma in India” says Dr. Archana S, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)

The Pharma Times News Bureau

Recent Posts

8 Ways Insomnia Affects Skin Health & How To Avoid It

By Dr. Priyanka Kuri, Consultant - Dermatology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru Insomnia, the persistent inability…

1 day ago

Breaking New Ground in Migraine Care: A Landmark Session on Diagnosis and Treatment

Illuminating Latest Advances in Migraine Diagnosis and Treatment New Delhi, December 21, 2024: In a…

1 day ago

Healthcare Startups to Watch Out for in 2025

New Delhi, December 20, 2024: The healthcare sector is undergoing a transformation fueled by technological…

2 days ago

DKMS’s First Global Impact Report of 2023 Serves as New Ray of Hope for Blood Cancer Patients Worldwide

National, December 20, 2024: DKMS just published its first Global Impact Report that outlines the organization's…

2 days ago

Sterling Biotech to start world’s first precision fermentation-based dairy protein factory in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, December 19, 2024: Sterling Biotech Limited, a joint venture between Perfect Day and Zydus, has…

3 days ago

Pioneers in Senior Care, Antara, Partners with Leading Diagnostics Player Dr. Lal PathLabs to Strengthen its Geriatric Care Services

New Delhi, December 19, 2024: Antara Senior Care, an integrated eco-system provider for lifestyle and…

3 days ago