What Is Glaucoma, the Silent Vision Thief? Glaucoma damages the optic nerve gradually and is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. In Malaysia, it contributes to around 12.3% of eye-related visual impairments in clinical settings . Because symptoms often go unnoticed until later stages, early detection is vital. Malaysia–Specific Glaucoma Trends & Stats Approximately 50% of global glaucoma cases occur in Asia, and Malaysia's prevalence is on the rise (researchgate.net). A community survey in Shah Alam showed only 25.2% awareness of glaucoma, with knowledge levels significantly tied to ethnicity, religion, and education (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Undiagnosed glaucoma is particularly high among Malays about 2.65% and almost double that of Chinese Malaysians (1.51%) (jamanetwork.com). Key takeaway: A majority of Malaysians remain unaware of glaucoma until it's progressed. It’s time to…
