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Published on: May 25, 2020
Seasonal Pattern of Glaucoma Emergencies in New England
In Young Chung1, Anthony Marte1, Kyoung Min Lee1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Ophthalmology. Glaucoma
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Acute angle closure glaucoma shows seasonal variation, peaking in spring and declining in fall. Other glaucoma emergencies did not follow this pattern, suggesting potential environmental or behavioral influences on acute angle closure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Glaucoma encompasses a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve.
- Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment to prevent vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seasonal patterns in acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) and other glaucoma emergencies.
- To identify potential contributing factors for observed trends in AACG.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of glaucoma emergency cases.
- Seasonal trend analysis for AACG and other glaucoma types.
Main Results:
- Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) incidence was highest in the spring and lowest in the fall.
- No significant seasonal patterns were observed for other confirmed glaucoma emergencies.
Conclusions:
- Seasonal variations in AACG suggest influence from environmental, behavioral, or access-to-care factors.
- Understanding these trends can inform targeted public health interventions and clinical care strategies for AACG.
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