STEROID-INDUCED GLAUCOMA IN YOUNGSTERS: A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE OF NEAR FUTURE

G and irreversible blindness. It has been estimated that in 2040, 111.8 million of the world's population will be affected by 1 g laucoma. The term "stero id responder" refers to those who have increased intraocular pressure (IOP) after taking steroids. Although the preva lence of s tero idinduced glaucoma (SIG) is unclear, it is believed that among the general population, roughly 33% have moderate, while 46% have a high response of IOP 2 elevation in response to steroids. SIG in youngsters is becoming a major public 3 health concern. According to a study of pediatric glaucoma patients, SIG is responsible for 24 percent of all 4 pediatric glaucoma cases. It accounts for 5.86 percent of all glaucoma patients in our country, which is a significant 5 percentage. SIG causes irreversible blindness, which has far-reaching consequences for an individual's quality of life, family, and the healthcare system. Since Pakistan's healthcare system is not as advanced as that of other developed nations, preventing this disease is an alternate and effective strategy to reduce SIG-related blindness. Pediatric SIG prevention would not only save our health and human resources, but it will also enable patients to participate in the country's growth in their own right.