Epidemiology of glaucoma in Asia-Pacific.

Primary open angle glaucoma is the second most important cause of permanent blindness in the Asia Pacific region. Thus it is very important to identify epidemiological and other risk factore which are associated with open angle glaucoma. The risk for glaucoma optic nerve damage increases with the age and with the level of the intraocular pressure. In this paper, I will highlight our study of several risk factors for development of the open angle glaucoma like (1) elevated intraocular pressure, (2) myopia, (3) suspicious large optic disc cup, (4) cupping with disc haemorrhages and (5) nerve fibre defect. The general and systemic conditions which are implicated as risk factore are (1) family history of glaucoma, (2) increase in age, (3) diabetes mellitus, (4) cardio vascular conditions like central retinal vein occlusion etc. (5) the endocrine disorders with increased thyroid and increased cortico steroids responsiveness in patients with glaucoma will be discussed.