Jackson Laboratory team finds genetic clue to 'emergency' glaucoma

A recent article states that the Jackson Laboratory team found genes that are linked to acute and severe form of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma (ACG). The gene points to unsuspected mechanisms involved in both ACG and infant eye development. Mice were used in the this study. They made progress when they identified a mouse strain that has anatomical features similar to those of humans with ACG. There is a high development of IOP. The IOP elevation causes the optic nerve to degenerate. The other studies on the mouse concluded that a mutated gene can cause variable reduction in axial length. With combined studies they were able to determine that the mutation can result in severe reduction of axial length in people with extreme hyperopia.

Glaucoma is the number one cause of blindness. With this study, there can be a huge reduction in blindness and greater awareness of who is going to develop glaucoma.