Key Takeaways
- Over 30% of relatives of glaucoma patients have glaucoma or are suspects
- Direct contact methods achieve higher screening participation than indirect outreach
Family members of patients with glaucoma have a substantial burden of undiagnosed disease, but participation in screening programs remains inconsistent and often low, according to a study
Researchers evaluated the prevalence of glaucoma among relatives of individuals with primary glaucoma and assessed response rates to family-based screening initiatives, as well as barriers to participation.
Across 42 studies, the median prevalence of glaucoma among relatives was 11.25%, with an additional 19.45% classified as glaucoma suspects. When analyzed by relationship, glaucoma prevalence was highest among parents (31.6%), followed by siblings (16.2%) and children (3.4%).
Overall, more than 30% of relatives were found to either have glaucoma or be classified as suspects. However, engagement with screening programs varied widely. Direct outreach methods, such as letters (median response rate 74.6%) and telephone calls (48%), resulted in higher participation compared with indirect approaches, including counseling patients to inform relatives or distributing informational materials (12.9%).
Reference
Odayappan A, Ehrlich JR, Berendschot TT, et al. Family Screening in Glaucoma: A Scoping Review. Ophthalmol Glaucoma. 2026;S2589-4196(26)00048-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ogla.2026.03.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41850528.
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