The problem: 500,000 people in the UK are affected by glaucoma and 60 million people worldwide. Some of these people have untreatable glaucoma caused by their use of steroids to treat other eye conditions. We know that there are genetic factors associated with the risk of developing glaucoma after steroid use but we do not understand them.
Our solution: to explore the genetic factors underpinning glaucoma so that people at a high-risk of developing the condition can be identified and monitored closely when using steroids – this is called precision medicine. We will also look at what is happening in the eye cells to cause this rise in pressure using state-of-the-art gen chip technologies.
Wider benefits: understanding the genetics of the condition will potentially help all glaucoma patients.
Cost: £378,500 over three years