Childhood glaucoma is rampant in Saudi Arabia, making it the second in the world in this respect. It is third biggest cause of vision loss in the Kingdom. Statistics indicated that the global infection rate is 2% for those over the age of 40, and 10% for those over 65. In 2020 the number of people suffering from glaucoma in the world is expected to be about 80 million out of which 11 million will lose their sight. Dr. Abdulraheem Al-Saqati, ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist, said that there are no obvious symptoms of the disease. The patient may feel impairment of vision for unknown reasons, but it is always attributed to genetics, old age, African ethnicity, myopia, previous injuries or infections of the eye. Some such cases could be a result of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and use of steroids or drugs, Dr. Al-Saqati said. He added that glaucoma is a serious disease that leads to blindness if not detected and treated early. It may also affect patients neglecting their prescribed medications. Dr. Al-Saqati said the damage caused by glaucoma to the optic nerve cannot be cured, but eye drops, oral medications, optical surgeries, and laser treatment can prevent further deterioration. He stressed the importance of periodic eye checkups to prevent vision loss. Statistics showed that between 80 and 90 new cases of glaucoma are detected every year in the Kingdom. The Saudi community is becoming more conscious of glaucoma as more suspected cases are being reported after eye checkups.
