Global Burden and Trends of Glaucoma in Adults Aged 55 and Older, 1990 to 2021: An Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study

To quantify the global burden of glaucoma in adults aged 55 and older from 1990 to 2021 and project trends through 2036, providing evidence to guide future prevention and management strategies. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, we evaluated the burden of glaucoma via case counts, age-standardized prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate, and annual percentage change. Cluster analysis identified key risk factors and temporal patterns, while Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models were applied to forecast future trends. Globally, the number of glaucoma cases in adults aged ≥55 rose from 3.97 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 3.39–4.67 million) in 1990 to 7.42 million (95% UI: 6.37–8.74 million) in 2021. However, both age-standardized prevalence and DALYs rates declined, with average annual percentage changes of −0.83% (95% UI: −0.85 to −0.80) and −1.26% (95% UI: −1.22 to −1.00), respectively. The burden was higher in older males and inversely correlated with the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). BAPC projections suggest a continued decline in global prevalence among older adults through 2036. While global age-standardized prevalence and DALYs rates for glaucoma have declined since 1990, the absolute number of cases continues to rise. Targeted interventions should prioritize high-risk groups and underserved regions, particularly older men and low SDI regions, respectively.