Genetics and age are risk factors for glaucoma sufferers, warns ophthalmologist
Jakarta — A Glaucoma Eye Specialist, Dr. Zeiras Eka Djamal, has explained that several risk factors must be monitored to reduce the potential for glaucoma, given that most sufferers experience no clear symptoms.
During a discussion held as part of World Glaucoma Week 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday, Dr. Zeiras Eka Djamal, Glaucoma Eye Specialist and Head of the JEC Cinere Eye Clinic, explained that to date there is no prophylaxis—meaning medical intervention or lifestyle changes for glaucoma—other than controlling intraocular pressure.
“Because there is a genetic factor. Genetics cannot be controlled. If genetically we have cancer risk, that risk will always be present,” he explained.
“What might be manageable is returning to a healthy lifestyle, because we know there is another risk factor, which is diabetes,” Zeiras added.
He explained that the majority of glaucoma cases show no symptoms, so detection typically occurs during health examinations. Approximately 80-90 per cent of cases go undetected, with more than 3.6 million people globally experiencing blindness due to the disease.
The number of glaucoma sufferers worldwide was estimated to reach approximately 76 million people in 2020 and will continue to increase to around 111.8 million people in 2040 as the population grows and life expectancy increases. In Indonesia, the prevalence of glaucoma reaches approximately 0.46 per cent, or 4-5 people per 1,000 inhabitants, according to Ministry of Health data from 2023.
For this reason, in addition to the importance of early detection, he explained that there are several factors that increase a person’s risk of developing glaucoma.
These include having high myopia or significant hyperopia, cataracts, trauma and other eye diseases.
For this reason, early detection is key to prevent further damage to the optic nerve, as damage usually occurs gradually without clear symptoms.
“With proper diagnosis and regular monitoring, disease progression can be controlled so that patients’ vision quality is maintained,” he said.