Aim To estimate the prevalence of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in European derived populations.

Method Systematic review and modelling of PACG prevalence data from population studies. PACG was defined according to the ISGEO definition requiring structural and/or functional evidence of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Prevalence estimates were applied to the 2010 United Nations projected population figures to estimate case numbers.

Results The prevalence of PACG in those 40 years or more is 0.4% (95% CI 0.3% to 0.5%). Age-specific prevalence values are 0.02% (CI 0.00 to 0.08) for those 40–49 years, 0.60% (0.27 to 1.00) for those 50–59 years, 0.20% (0.06 to 0.42) for those 60–69 years and 0.94% (0.63 to 1.35) for those 70 years and older. Three-quarters of all cases occur in female subjects (3.25 female to 1 male; CI 1.76 to 5.94).

Conclusion This analysis provides a current evidence-based estimate of PACG prevalence in European derived populations and suggests there are 130 000 people in the UK, 1.60 million people in Europe and 581 000 people in the USA with PACG today. Accounting for ageing population structures, cases are predicted to increase by 19% in the UK, 9% in Europe and 18% in the USA within the next decade. PACG is more common than previously thought, and all primary glaucoma cases should be considered to be PACG until the anterior chamber angle is shown to be open on gonioscopy.