There’s always the joke that goes around about people of ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) heritage having poor eyesight. Even with my poor vision without glasses or contact lenses, I poke a little fun at myself. However, it’s not without being based on fact. Myopia – shortsightedness – is prevalent in East Asia, with a staggering 90% of teenagers and young adults estimated to have it. And that’s not all. East Asians* also have an increased risk of developing glaucoma. I found this out in 2022, when I, at the age of 33, was told I had it.
But what is glaucoma and why is this not only a risk to the health of East Asians’ eyes but also not well-known among us?
Joanne Creighton, CEO of Glaucoma UK says: “Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. People may not experience any symptoms in the early stages so they may not know they have it. The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the sooner it can be managed to prevent irreversible sight loss or even blindness.” It affects your peripheral vision at first and the nerve damage is usually related to increased pressure in the eye.
People of East Asian descent are more prone to primary angle closure (PACG), which is a more aggressive type of glaucoma. However, they can and do develop the others too, including the more common primary open-angle (POAG). The latter is more prevalent among European and Afro-Caribbean populations.
Globally, East Asians have the highest rate of blindness from PACG. In China, it accounts for 90% of all cases of blindness from glaucoma. Many who sadly develop it, especially POAG, may not realise they have it until their eyesight begins to deteriorate. For example, I have not experienced any obvious deterioration in the health of my eyes and even my prescription has barely changed. Thanks to an early POAG diagnosis, I now have to use pressure-reducing eye drops every night to manage it, a common solution for many.
According to researchers, the anatomy of our eyes and having myopia predispose us to developing glaucoma. Very little data currently exists in Western countries about the prevalence of glaucoma in East Asian populations. Some researchers have carried out research in the US, but none have done so in the UK so far. Even when an estimated 700,000 people in the UK have glaucoma (half of whom are thought not to know), numbers by ethnicity remain unavailable.
Because myopia is so common among young East Asians, it is imperative that more of them understand the higher risk they have of developing glaucoma. This also challenges the popular misconception that it only affects older people. Joanne says “The only way to know if you have glaucoma is to attend a routine eye test,” adding that “it is vital that most people have their eyes checked every two years; unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.”
During an eye test in 2019, there were suspicions about me potentially having glaucoma. Opticians already noted that my grandma had it, but didn’t see it as hugely important to examine further until then. Unfortunately, the waiting list for a hospital appointment, combined with the pandemic, delayed further examinations and final diagnosis until 2022.
However, through my role and platform at Voice ESEA, we are keen to assist Glaucoma UK in increasing awareness of this sight-stealing eye disease among British ESEAs. This is especially important as they ready themselves to celebrate their 50th birthday and ramp up campaigns aimed at high risk and underrepresented groups. Others who are at risk of developing glaucoma include:
- People of Afro-Caribbean descent, who are 4x more likely to develop POAG
- Hispanics (often included in the US)
- People aged over 40 (1 in 50), which rises up with each age bracket to 1 in 20 when over the age of 80
- Those with a family member who has or had glaucoma, with there being a 10x higher likelihood of inheriting it
- Those with medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
Voice ESEA want to help Glaucoma UK advocate for better representation and healthcare equity when it comes to conditions such as glaucoma that disproportionately affect ESEAs. While their tireless work is ongoing throughout the year, they have the biggest chances to reach larger audiences during dates such as World Glaucoma Week from 10-16 March and Glaucoma Awareness Week from 24-30 June this year.
When I first received my diagnosis, I had no knowledge of East Asians being a high-risk group. That is until the doctor who gave me the news told me. Even the optician who referred me did not mention it, and I strongly felt they should advertise this more. All I had ever seen in leaflets and on posters around the hospital were images of older White people and therefore only assumed my case was extremely rare. Some websites do not even list East Asians as being a high-risk group, excluding or forgetting about us again.
“Being diagnosed with glaucoma can be worrying, but you are not alone,” says Joanne. Many who have been diagnosed live relatively normal lives without any major issues, even without a cure for it yet. “We can help provide advice and guidance to anyone living with the disease in the UK, and their loved ones.”
Although it is currently unknown how many ESEAs in the UK have glaucoma or even how many are getting regular eye tests, in doing so we can help paint a better picture and improve statistical research. This in turn will hopefully increase awareness and equitable healthcare. I therefore urge you to get tested when necessary, follow the given advice, and tell your ESEA family and friends.
*In this context, East Asians include Southeast Asians
Has glaucoma affected you or a family member? If you wish to share your story and experience you can here. And if you want to help Glaucoma UK and Voice ESEA with the above, do consider donating whatever you can afford to give.
All images provided and owned by Glaucoma UK.
