EARLIER detection of glaucoma could soon be possible thanks to revolutionary work by one of Southampton’s leading eye specialists and a team of international experts.
Professor Andrew Lotery, professor of ophthalmology at Southampton General Hospital, was part of the team that discovered a gene mutation that causes the condition.
This breakthrough gives hope to the hundreds of thousands of patients across the world who suffer from glaucoma, which is the world’s leading cause of blindness.
Professor Lotery and fellow consultant ophthalmologists Alex MacLeod and Aby Jacob at the hospital’s eye unit and Jane Gibson and Sarah Ennis, from the University of Southampton, joined forces with experts from around the globe.
Currently glaucoma is treated by lowering pressure within the eye by taking drops or via surgery, but this is not effective in all patients and many are not diagnosed until their eyesight has already deteriorated.
It is believed that the discovery of this new gene will change all this and lead to earlier detection.
Professor Lotery said: “In order to make progress in this disease, we need to better understand the basic biological processes which lead to glaucoma. By doing this, we can then start to develop better treatments.
“Our work in helping identify a novel gene and biological pathway for glaucoma is an important step forward.
“Previously we have seen how finding genes for macular degeneration is now leading to the development of novel clinical treatments and we expect this work in glaucoma will eventually have the same result.”
The project was supported by the Southampton Gift of Sight appeal.
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