Epidemiological features of primary glaucoma in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the epidemiological features of primary glaucoma in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) over a 20-year period from 2005 to 2024. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on annual statistical reports submitted by ophthalmologists from cities and districts of Yakutia, data from the Yakut Republican Ophthalmology Clinical Hospital, the Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expert Assessment for Yakutia, and the regional glaucoma patient registry, we conducted a comparative analysis of glaucoma prevalence and incidence by disease stage, gender, and age, as well as changes in glaucoma surgical activity and glaucoma-related disability over 20 years. RESULTS: Analysis of glaucoma prevalence revealed a 56.01% increase in the overall glaucoma prevalence rate and a 45.1% increase in the incidence rate per 100.000 adults. The rate of persons newly recognized as disabled per 10.000 adults decreased by 16%. Indicators related to the organization of surgical care showed favorable trends: the number of laser procedures increased by 90.4%, the number of glaucoma surgeries by 21.3%, including procedures involving shunt and drainage device implantation by 46.6%, while surgical activity increased to 112.9%. The use of high-technology procedures increased more than 30-fold - from 15 surgeries in 2012 to 473 in 2024. Mobile ophthalmic care is being actively implemented in the form of off-site surgical teams and the establishment of interdistrict centers throughout Yakutia. CONCLUSION: The increase in glaucoma prevalence in the Republic of Sakha is largely associated with population aging. Despite the progressive increase in both overall glaucoma prevalence and incidence during the study period, the rate of persons newly recognized as disabled decreased by 16%. This improvement was facilitated by new models of ophthalmic care delivery, mobile specialized teams, and increased surgical activity.