A new genetic test for the early detection of Glaucoma
Through a genetic test we can predict the possibility of suffering from glaucoma, a disease that is the second cause of blindness in developed countries and that usually occurs without symptoms that warn of its presence.
Much progress has been made since in 1794 an English physicist, chemist and naturist named Dalton described his own blindness and that of his brother in relation to colors, since at the present time the genetic-molecular mechanisms involved in development are already known. of many eye diseases, including glaucoma.
The idea that some of the factors that cause glaucoma may be inherited was first suggested 150 years ago.
As shown by the different studies carried out, the role of heredity seems to be decisive in glaucoma. They show that 13-50% of glaucomatous patients have at least one relative who suffers from the disease; individuals with a family history of glaucoma are 10 times more likely to have it than those without.
The high prevalence in African Americans, compared to that observed in Caucasoids, could also reflect this underlying genetic factor.
For all this, knowing as soon as possible the possibility of a person ending up developing this disease, especially in at-risk populations, as well as calculating the progress and the visual disability that it can cause, is essential for its therapeutic approach. In this sense, the genetic diagnosis allows to individualize the treatment and take measures to reduce the possibility of suffering blindness in high-risk family groups.
At the present time, the results are limited to indicating the possibilities of contracting the disease or not, being more precise in some special type of glaucoma such as pseudoexfoliative, one of the most frequent and most complex to treat since it produces the release of a substance that is deposited in the trabecular meshwork, obstructing the exit of the liquid from the interior of the eye, aqueous humor, raising the Intraocular pressure, as shown in the figure.
We are of the opinion that it is highly recommended to perform this type of genetic analysis on all those patients with a family history of glaucoma or with ocular hypertension of unknown origin. A visit to an ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma and genetic testing can prevent the onset of glaucoma and possible loss of vision.
