In the growing field of ophthalmology in Asia, there is an emerging awareness of the difference in disease patterns and behaviour between the patients we see and that which is published in established texts from the European and US literature. While clinicians have long suspected that the differences do exist, the evidence has often been anecdotal or unclear.

At the same time, there is an increasing trend in glaucoma management, and indeed in medicine as a whole, to depend more and more on the findings of evidence-based medicine. As more light is shed on appropriate therapies arising from these studies, we will find that the place for management based on our clinical impressions is limited to those areas for which, as yet, we do not have good data to guide us. Where there are ethnic differences in eye disease behaviour, the findings in one population group may not necessarily reflect the most appropriate management in a different population. The time is coming when evidence-based studies may be needed in this region and, where these studies do exist, to increase the awareness of the data obtained for the different Asian populations. The great diversity of populations in the region will increasingly result in customisation of practice patterns which will evolve to best serve the needs of each distinct group.

We, as ophthalmologists of Asia, need to be aware of new data relevant to our patients. Asian Journal of OPHTHALMOLOGY will endeavour, as a review journal, to provide this information to our readers. Additionally, we will incorporate invited articles from expert opinion leaders, in which they will share their current thoughts and approaches to glaucoma, specifically, and ophthalmology, in general. I invite you to contribute to the Journal, and to participate fully in this exciting new era of ophthalmology.

Editor-in-Chief

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