Gene research looks into glaucoma

STRIKING YOUNG adults, pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS), a form of "early-onset glaucoma," often goes undetected until it is far advanced and has severely damaged eyesight. Yet, according to research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, scientists are one step closer to locating the gene responsible for PDS. PDS is one of several types of glaucoma that account for 12 to 15 percent of all cases of blindness each year, making glaucoma the third leading cause of severe vision loss in the US In this InteliHealth interview, one of the nation's leading medical experts says researchers have begun pinpointing a number of genes linked to several types of glaucoma.

Q: How does glaucoma affect eyesight?

A: The common factor among all types of glaucoma is the tissue-damaging pressure that builds up when the eyes cannot properly circulate a clear liquid called aqueous humor. Once an affected individual's vision is lost, it cannot be restored.

Q: What is the significance of this research?

A: Although there is currently no way to prevent glaucoma, early detection and treatment can often prevent blindness, and that is why this genetic research is so important. First and foremost, glaucoma is hard to diagnose, and we know there is some genetic component to developing the disease. Right now, though, we cannot predict whether someone is going to get glaucoma just because one of his or her parents had it. If we had clear evidence regarding certain genetics, we would know to watch that person more carefully. Finding the genes responsible for glaucoma might someday help us tell you if you have a particular tendency and should get checked more carefully, more often. In the future, genetic research could help develop much better therapies. This will help the majority of people with glaucoma in some way in the future - whether it is by diagnosis or therapy. We are hopeful that these discoveries will lead to earlier detection and better treatments. It's even possible these findings may one day produce a therapy that prevents glaucoma from starting.

Q: How would such therapies work?

A: Once we can identify and locate the genes, we can start working on correcting the defect that is causing the problem in the eye's flow channel. Fixing the defect -- so that the body produces and regulates the proper substance -- is the best solution. Eyes are particularly good for gene therapy, because you can insert new cells right into them.

Q: How far along is this type of research?

A: Animal research on this type of gene therapy is already being done. We should learn a lot in the next few years.

Q: What other recent advances have been achieved in combating glaucoma?

A: Three new medicines have become available in the past couple of years, and that has increased our ability to treat people with acceptable levels of side effects. These medicines cause fewer side effects and offer good alternatives. Surgery has also improved, due to use of drugs that were previously used to fight cancer. We apply these drugs to the eyes during surgery. Those drugs come with their own new complications, but overall they have been a plus.

Q: Given that glaucoma is such a silent thief of sight, how often should people be checked for the disease?

A: In general, adults over the age of 40 should be checked every year, and an adult over the age of 30 who hasn't been checked in more than two years should see an eye doctor. African-Americans have a higher rate of glaucoma and should consider getting checked more often -- and at an earlier age -- in consultation with their eye doctor

-- Information compiled from InteliHeath website

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