Glaucoma Sensor

Glaucoma Irreversibly Damages the Optic Nerve

Glaucoma, also known as “the silent thief of sight,” is a common eye disease and is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Experts estimate that in Germany, approximately 500,000 people – some unknowingly – suffer from the disease, and about 10% will go blind from it.

Although glaucoma can be treated simply and effectively with eye drops, most people are unaware of their condition because symptoms develop gradually and often only become noticeable in the advanced stages. As a result, most cases go untreated for a long time, leading to permanent optic nerve damage or, in the worst case, complete blindness.

Genetic Predisposition for Glaucoma

Inside the human eye, there is a constant flow of clear fluid. This is produced at the back of the eyeball and flows out through valves in the front part. The balance between production and drainage creates eye pressure, which is important for the shape and function of the eye.

Science has identified a gene whose mutated variant can disrupt the drainage valves, preventing fluid from flowing out smoothly. This leads to a gradually increasing eye pressure, which increasingly presses on the fine blood vessels that supply the optic nerve with oxygen and nutrients, thereby obstructing blood flow.

Our brain combines the images from both eyes, successfully compensating for the initial visual field impairments. Therefore, the disease is often only diagnosed when the peripheral vision in both eyes is so severely affected that, for example, individual steps or parts of words are missed, and driving becomes difficult. By this point, the optic nerves may already be up to 95% damaged, eventually leading to complete vision loss.

After diagnosis, treatment focuses on lowering eye pressure, preventing further nerve cell death, and stopping the progression of the disease. However, already damaged nerve cells cannot be restored. A genetic analysis can detect an individual’s risk for glaucoma early and indicate whether more thorough eye examinations are needed. With timely treatment, permanent damage could be avoided.

How Does Our Glaucoma Sensor Work?

With our Glaucoma Sensor, our laboratory examines the submitted saliva sample for variants of the LOXL1 gene, which may contribute to the development of glaucoma. We also assess the impact of the genetic profile on the effectiveness and tolerance of 17 common medications.

This genetic test allows us to determine how likely it is for genetically determined glaucoma to develop and whether a prompt eye examination and treatment are necessary.

We evaluate the analysis results in a clear report and also provide concrete preventive recommendations.

In this way, our Glaucoma Sensor can significantly contribute to the early detection of glaucoma and offer effective preventive measures to help avoid irreversible eye damage.