World Glaucoma Week is observed every year from March 9 to 15, with this year's theme being "Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World." But to achieve this goal, it is crucial to understand the risk factors that contribute to glaucoma.
In today’s digital age, common concerns, such as prolonged screen time, are adding to the list of potential risks. This is why raising awareness about these factors is essential for early detection and prevention.
This World Glaucoma Week 2025, Dr Roshan Colaco, Glaucoma Consultant at RJ Sankara Eye Hospital, Panvel, sheds light on the common risk factors for glaucoma and discusses how excessive screen time is becoming a major contributor to the risk.
Also Read: World Glaucoma Week 2025: Why Glaucoma Is Not Just A Disease Of Old Age
Understanding The Common Risk Factors For Glaucoma
According to the National Eye Institute, a person is at a higher risk of glaucoma if they are over 60, African American, over age 40, and have a family history of glaucoma.
Dr Colaco explains that the risk of developing glaucoma typically increases after the age of 40, especially for individuals with a family history of the condition.
Other risk factors include elevated eye pressure, eye injuries, diabetes, high blood pressure, and prolonged use of steroids.
Prolonged Screen Time: A Contributing Factor?
While prolonged screen time can cause eye strain and other vision-related problems, there's no strong evidence suggesting it directly causes glaucoma.
However, prolonged screen time contributes to an increased risk of developing glaucoma, as it causes eye strain, reduced blinking, dry eyes, or eye fatigue, which may affect the eye’s fluid drainage system, Dr Colaco tells the OnlyMyHealth team.
He adds that poor posture from staring at a screen for a long time can increase eye as well as neck pressure, which can in turn lead to glaucoma, especially if the individual is already genetically predisposed.
A 2024 study published in Scientific Reports found a major link between prolonged screen time and an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma, characterised by damage to the optic nerve and loss of retinal ganglion cells.
Analysing data from 727,589 patients between 2005 and 2021, researchers observed that individuals with the highest screen exposure had 1.24 times higher odds of developing primary open-angle glaucoma. Interestingly, sedentary behaviour alone was not associated with glaucoma risk, highlighting screen time as a potential contributing factor.
In addition, excessive digital device use can lead to dryness, irritation, blurred vision, and headaches, along with eye fatigue, insomnia due to blue light emitted by the digital screen, and myopia in children.
Also Read: Glaucoma To Ocular Infections: Warning Signs And Management Tips Of Eye Diseases You Should Know
What Preventive Measures Can Individuals Take To Reduce Digital Eye Strain?
“It is essential that people take regular breaks like following the 20-20-20 rule and maintain proper eye hygiene by washing eyes at intervals,” advises Dr Colaco, adding that maintaining a proper viewing distance, using specs to filter out the blue light, and adjusting screen brightness can help people to avoid digital eye strain.
Furthermore, it is important to practice proper posture, stay hydrated, and blink frequently while going to regular eye check-ups in order to prevent the development of glaucoma, the doctor concluded.