Asia Glaucoma Registry

Glaucoma remains a leading cause for irreversible visual impairment and blindness worldwide and it disproportionately affects people residing in Asia [Tham et al, 2014]. It is well established that the epidemiology and natural history of glaucoma in patients in the Asia region is different from its western counterparts. Compared with the other parts of the world, the prevalence of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) was highest in Asia [Tham et al, 2014]. The prevalence of PACG was higher in East Asia than South East Asia, while the burden of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) was projected to be the highest in South-Central Asia by 2040 [Chan et al, 2016]; this suggests that ethnic differences within Asia may be a contributing factor to the differences in the prevalence of different types of glaucoma. Furthermore, studies have suggested the prevalence of normal pressure glaucoma is also higher in Asians than Caucasians [ Chen et al , 2020 ] Given the disproportionate burden of glaucoma in Asia, there is a need to ensure optimal management of the disease in patients with glaucoma. The ability to estimate the rates of structural and functional loss in patients with glaucoma will enable clinicians to identify those with rapidly deteriorating conditions or those at-risk, and to therefore provide timely treatment to these patients.

Despite this, there are currently several challenges in identifying rapid-progressors in glaucoma, including lack of consensus on the definition of 'rapid' progression and what rates of change of visual field (VF) encompass clinically significant deterioration relevant to the patients. As such, the Asia Glaucoma Registry is intended to collect data to advance the understanding of glaucoma and its progression in Asia and to understand the management patterns of glaucoma in Asia. The Registry will also provide research data for future collaborative scientific research projects. Glaucoma remains a leading cause for irreversible visual impairment and blindness worldwide and it disproportionately affects people residing in Asia [Tham et al, 2014]. It is well established that the epidemiology and natural history of glaucoma in patients in the Asia region is different from its western counterparts. Compared with the other parts of the world, the prevalence of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) was highest in Asia [Tham et al, 2014]. The prevalence of PACG was higher in East Asia than South East Asia, while the burden of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) was projected to be the highest in South-Central Asia by 2040 [Chan et al, 2016]; this suggests that ethnic differences within Asia may be a contributing factor to the differences in the prevalence of different types of glaucoma. Furthermore, studies have suggested the prevalence of normal pressure glaucoma is also higher in Asians than Caucasians [ Chen et al , 2020 ] Given the disproportionate burden of glaucoma in Asia, there is a need to ensure optimal management of the disease in patients with glaucoma. The ability to estimate the rates of structural and functional loss in patients with glaucoma will enable clinicians to identify those with rapidly deteriorating conditions or those at-risk, and to therefore provide timely treatment to these patients.

Despite this, there are currently several challenges in identifying rapid-progressors in glaucoma, including lack of consensus on the definition of 'rapid' progression and what rates of change of visual field (VF) encompass clinically significant deterioration relevant to the patients. As such, the Asia Glaucoma Registry is intended to collect data to advance the understanding of glaucoma and its progression in Asia and to understand the management patterns of glaucoma in Asia. The Registry will also provide research data for future collaborative scientific research projects.

References:

Chan EW, et al. Glaucoma in Asia: regional prevalence variations and future projections. Br J Opthalmol 2016;100(1):78-85.