Glaucoma affects up to 80 million people worldwide, and scientists are fighting it with cutting-edge gene therapy that promises to lower high eye pressure and cure the root cause of blindness.
Glaucoma is an insidious sight stealer. Unnoticed and cunningly, he sneaks up on his victims, gradually depriving them of sight until they are in complete darkness. There are as many as 80 million people in the world suffering from this disease, and this is no small problem. But New Atlas writes that scientists have developed a new weapon in the fight against this thief.
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Glaucoma is caused by an annoying little thing – an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). The eye produces a fluid called aqueous humor that is necessary to nourish and keep the eye in shape. This fluid is expelled from the eye at the anterior chamber angle, but if this angle is damaged, the eye produces more aqueous humor than it can expel, causing an increase in IOP. This can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness.
The first line of glaucoma treatment includes the use of eye drops, but this is not sufficient for 50% of patients. The superhero of modern medicine comes to the rescue of gene therapy. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with biotechnology company Exhaura Ltd, have developed a new adeno-associated virus therapy to deliver instructions for the production of the matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) enzyme. This enzyme helps to lower IOP by accelerating the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye.
The researchers tested their treatment in mice and human donor eyeballs and found that it increased fluid flow and lowered IOP. The team is optimistic about the future of this treatment and believes it could pave the way for other blinding eye conditions. “Our new gene therapy approach to treating glaucoma is the culmination of more than seven years of research. We hope this treatment will pave the way for the development of treatments for other forms of blind eye disease,” said lead author Geoffrey O’Callaghan. “
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Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.