Glaucoma has emerged as a significant player in the global health arena, being one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness—particularly among the elderly. With around 7.7 million people affected worldwide, this condition poses serious risks to eye health.

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which constitutes 11% of the global population but carries a staggering 24% of the global disease burden, the prevalence of glaucoma is alarming. It presents grave public health challenges, primarily due to the region's inadequate healthcare systems and scarce access to eye care services. Research shows a concerning 4.4% prevalence of glaucoma within SSA, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.

One of the most pressing issues in managing glaucoma in SSA is the acute shortage of ophthalmologists—only about 2.5 per million people, sharply below the recommended standard. This shortage significantly hampers effective glaucoma management and usage of essential diagnostic technologies. Rural areas bear the brunt of these challenges due to logistical obstacles and limited health education, leading to untimely diagnoses and treatments.

Socioeconomic factors play a critical role, where poverty limits access to eye care, and educational gaps foster a lack of awareness about glaucoma and its risks. This makes the elderly in SSA particularly vulnerable. With age recognized as a clear risk factor for glaucoma, the region's aging population—combined with existing healthcare disparities—creates a ticking time bomb for eye health.

Despite various management strategies reported by researchers, significant barriers persist. While medications are more affordable than surgical options, they often remain out of reach due to cost and limited availability. Surgical interventions show great promise but are underperformed due to fears associated with surgery and insufficient trained personnel.

A Deeper Dive into Glaucoma's Impact on SSA's Elderly