Overview
- A peer-reviewed analysis by UCL and Moorfields, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, applied 2021–22 census demographics to published prevalence rates to update national estimates.
- Researchers estimate 1,019,629 UK adults aged 40 and over—about 3%—currently have glaucoma, with prevalence rising to roughly 11% in people aged 85 and older.
- Cases are projected to increase by about 60% to 1.61 million by 2060, outpacing the expected 28% growth in the 40+ population.
- Prevalence differs by group, reaching around 4% in people of African descent and just under 2.5% in Asian populations, with slightly higher rates in men.
- Experts warn that up to half of cases may be undiagnosed and urge targeted detection, awareness campaigns, evaluation of screening models, AI-assisted diagnosis, and NHS planning including a National Eye Strategy.