Sedentary lifestyle causes glaucoma in youth: Survey

New Delhi: More youngsters are increasingly coming under the radar of glaucoma, especially in metropolitan cities, with Delhi having the highest percentage of such cases.

According to a survey conducted by Glaucoma Society of India, in 2017, out of the total burden of glaucoma cases across India, a majority belong to  metro cities. Mumbai contributed 6.7 per cent, Chennai and Bangalore 9.4 per cent, and the Delhi- NCR region with 13.5 per cent. The figures constitute a large number of youngsters under the age of 38 who have been diagnosed with glaucoma.

Moreover, it has recently been observed that of the total number of such cases, more than  over 0 per cent of them are under the age of 35 years.

According experts, while more than 70 per cent of Indians are at a risk of developing glaucoma, on an average over two lakh of them lose vision due to the disease. World Glaucoma Week 2018 is being observed from March 11 to 17 and the theme is “Green-Go get your eyes tested for glaucoma. Save your Sight”.

As per WHO statistics, glaucoma is the second largest cause of blindness in the world and fourth largest in India. As per National Health Portal India survey 2017, it is the leading cause of blindness with an estimated 18 lakh cases in the country.

Though the average age for glaucoma is more than 50 years, but a sedentary lifestyle and with adoption of a westernised lifestyle, the average age is getting shorter,  the doctors said.

“The aim is to eliminate blindness caused by glaucoma by encouraging people to get regular eye check-ups done, including optic nerve examination,” Dr R. Sachdev, MS, additional director medical services, Centre for Sight.