The incidence rates and prevalence of treated glaucoma in the United Kingdom, 2000-2022

Quantify the incidence rates and prevalence of treated glaucoma in the United Kingdom (UK).

Using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD, we calculated crude and age-standardised incidence rates and prevalence of treated glaucoma in adult patients from 2000 to 2022, stratifying by age, sex, year of diagnosis, and region.

We identified 112,632 cases of glaucoma in 82.7 million person-years (py) from 2000 to 2022. The age-standardised incidence rates of glaucoma remained stable from 2000 to 2019 (128.77, 95% CI 125.15-132.40 to 112.63, 95% CI 108.75-116.52 per 100,000 py) with a marked reduction in 2020 (69.50, 95% CI 66.31-72.68 per 100,000 py) and a slight increase in 2021 and 2022 (94.09, 95% CI 90.23-97.96 to 91.70, 95% CI 87.61-95.79 per 100,000 py). Incidence rates sharply increased with age, peaking at 579.70 (95% CI 572.27-587.13 per 100,000 py) in the 80-89 age group, with more males in all age groups. The incidence rates of glaucoma were highest in England, London and Wales (3-8% above average), and lower in Northern Ireland and Scotland (11-16% below average). The prevalence of glaucoma increased by 24.7% from 1.18% (95% CI 0.89-1.47%) to 1.47% (95% CI 1.03-1.90%). It was highest in the elderly >90 years (11.5%).

In our large nationwide study in the UK, the incidence rates of glaucoma in the UK remained fairly stable from 2000 to 2019, with a significant decrease observed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the prevalence of glaucoma has increased, reflecting the aging population. Both the incidence rates and prevalence varied widely across age groups, sexes, and different regions of the UK. Considering the aging UK population and the increasing prevalence of glaucoma, this eye condition represents a growing burden on the National Health Service in the UK.