New Orleans - With further study of the genetics of glaucoma, someday a person will be able to assess whether this complex disease threatens him.

Specific drugs will be invented that will replace the defective protein and prevent the "start" of the process of damage to the ganglion cell. "It seems that such methods are within reach. 10 years ago, when gene therapy was a novelty, there could be no question of it, "said Professor L. Alward (University of Iowa).

In this area, many discoveries have been made, in spite of the fact that much remains unknown. For example, some genes that are "responsible" for the development of open-angle glaucoma are already known; It is also possible to carry out genetic testing.

However, the generalized genetic screening - glaucoma research at present is almost impossible, because the genes found are responsible for a too small percentage of cases. "The use of gene therapy in the clinic is still a distant goal," Dr stressed.. Alward.

Medicus. En.