Glaucoma poses major global vision health risk, WHO says

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2.2 billion people worldwide live with some form of visual impairment, and glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. A 2025 review reported that about 76 million people had glaucoma in 2020, a figure projected to rise above 111 million by 2040.

Glaucoma often develops without obvious symptoms, making early detection through regular eye examinations essential, especially after age 40 or for those with family history or other risk factors. Johanna Rozo, coordinator of the Visual Health Center at CRAC in Colombia, cautioned that many people mistakenly associate vision loss only with aging, stressing that “early detection remains one of the most effective tools to preserve visual function.” The article recommends periodic ophthalmic check‑ups, recognizing warning signs such as persistent blurry vision, loss of visual field, or difficulty recognizing faces, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits to support eye health.