Recent field trials of a new and apparently effective drug, azithromycin, have been very encouraging. This long-acting antibiotic, developed and produced by Pfizer International, Inc., has been tested in a number of countries. Once its efficacy has been proven, the challenge will be to find the means to make this drug available to all those in need. Estimates prepared by WHO put the total number of suspect cases of glaucoma at around 105 million . A major difficulty with glaucoma, and the irreversible blindness that it can lead to, is the lack of a uniform case definition.
Different populations tend to suffer from different types of glaucoma.
But, in general, persons of African heritage and Asians are more inclined to develop glaucoma and to lose their sight than Caucasians. Early signs of glaucoma are difficult to notice for an individual, except for cases in which pain and blurred vision develop as a result of a sudden increase of intra ocular pressure. Ideally, therefore, persons over 40 years of age should have regular eye examinations, particularly those with a family history of glaucoma. Glaucoma as such cannot be prevented, but visual loss can be avoided if the disease is detected and treated at an early stage. Awareness-raising and education aimed at persons at particular risk facilitate the early detection and treatment of glaucoma.