Glaucoma is the third leading cause of blindness and a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The global rate of glaucoma is expected to increase 39% to over 111 million by 2040.
Glaucoma is rarely symptomatic until advanced irreversible optic nerve damage has already occurred. The main recognized, and the only modifiable, risk factor for developing glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), or ocular hypertension.