Abstract

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and in India.It has been estimated that nearly 12 million Indians currently have glaucoma and this figure will increase to more than 16 million by the year 2020.1 Population based studies in India suggest that more than 90% of glaucoma cases in India remain undiagnosed.2,3 These high rates of undiagnosed glaucoma translate into significant rates of glaucoma blindness. The World Glaucoma Association has set a goal of reducing the undiagnosed rate of glaucoma from 50% to no more than 20% by 2020. Since visual loss from glaucoma is preventable if detected and treated early, it is imperative to have population screening. The multiple factors responsible for glaucoma, the multiple tests used to diagnose glaucoma and the low prevalence demand targeted screening of high risk subgroups. The increased risk of glaucoma in family members of persons with glaucoma has been well recognized.Epidemiologic data from the Baltimore Eye Survey4 confirm that family history of glaucoma is an important risk factor. Cross sectional studies seem to suggest close to 50% of all glaucomas to be familial and a positive family history confers threefold increase in risk of developing open angle glaucoma.4,5 Since visual loss from glaucoma is preventable if detected and treated early, it is imperative to have population screening. The multiple factors responsible for glaucoma, the multiple tests used to diagnose glaucoma and the low prevalence demand targeted screening of high risk subgroups. The increased risk of glaucoma in family members of persons with glaucoma has been well recognized.Epidemiologic data from the Baltimore Eye Survey4 confirm that family history of glaucoma is an important risk factor. Cross sectional studies seem to suggest close to 50% of all glaucomas to be familial and a positive family history confers threefold increase in risk of developing open angle glaucoma

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