Ophthalmology

Myopia surge will more than double global open-angle glaucoma burden by 2060

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized 77 population-based studies to estimate current and future open-angle glaucoma (OAG) prevalence by region and age. Global OAG prevalence in adults ≥40 years is projected to rise from 2.8% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2060, with cases increasing from about 80 to 187 million. Demographic aging alone explains an increase to roughly 77 million additional cases, while myopia contributes a further 28.9 million, over a quarter of the total rise. High myopia is expected to cause about 6.1 million early-onset OAG cases in adults 20–39 years, shifting part of the burden to younger populations. 1

Regulator-approved deep-learning systems deliver high-accuracy DR screening across settings

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 82 studies including 887,244 examinations, assessing 25 regulator-approved deep-learning systems for autonomous diabetic retinopathy screening in 28 countries. On a per-patient basis, pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.93 and 0.90, and per-eye performance was 0.92 and 0.93, approximating expert grading. False positives increased when screening for any diabetic retinopathy, in low-income settings, or with many ungradable images. Specificity improved with pharmacologic dilation, portable cameras, and adjudicated reference standards, indicating the importance of imaging and grading workflows. 2

FAERS data signal multiple ocular adverse events with GLP-1 receptor agonists

This FAERS-based disproportionality analysis examined ocular adverse events with semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide between 2017 and 2025, using metformin and orlistat as controls. In type 2 diabetes, semaglutide showed higher reporting odds for optic ischaemic neuropathy, cataract, and retinopathy versus metformin. In non-diabetic users, semaglutide reports were enriched for retinopathy and retinal haemorrhage, suggesting possible risk beyond classic diabetic populations. Tirzepatide and liraglutide also demonstrated elevated reporting odds for optic ischemic neuropathy, cataract, macular degeneration, and other eye disorders in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. 3

ROP-related visual loss remains concentrated in low-SDI countries despite global stability

Using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, this cross-sectional analysis quantified retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)–related visual impairment in 204 countries from 1990 to 2021. Across this period, 8.79 million ROP-related visual loss cases were documented, with global case numbers remaining overall stable. In 2021, low and low-middle social demographic index (SDI) countries accounted for most ROP-related visual loss, despite declines in some regions since the 2000s. High-middle SDI countries are seeing increasing prevalence of all-grade ROP-related visual impairment, suggesting shifting burden alongside expanding neonatal care. 4