deCODE Glaucoma™
A novel DNA-based test that assesses risk for exfoliation glaucoma. Individuals testing positive are at 2.4-times the population average risk of developing exfoliation glaucoma.
Screening and prevention
How deCODE Glaucoma™ can help.
deCODE Glaucoma™ identifies those who are at increased genetic risk of developing open angle glaucoma
The deCODE Glaucoma™ risk results are independent of and complementary to other known risk factors such as family history of glaucoma or elevated eye pressure.
Those who test positive may derive greatest benefit from regular eye exams, with the aim of detecting more disease earlier and treating it to slow progression and preserve vision.
deCODE Glaucoma™ is based on scientifically validated results from multiple studies.
deCODE´s research in two independent cohorts demonstrated that these two non-synonymous changes in exon 1 of the LOXL1 gene on chromosome 15q24.1 confer risk of exfoliation glaucoma(1). These findings have been further validated in multiple studies(2-22)
The effect is thought to be through what is called exfoliation syndrome, characterized by accumulation of abnormal microfibrillar deposits that line the aqueous bathed surfaces of the anterior segment of the eye.
Homozygosity for a G (the risk alleles) at the two location in exon 1 (RS1048661 and RS3825942) change two amino acids in the product of the LOXL1 gene, a key enzyme that regulates cross linking of elastin fibers that are the major constituent of the intraocular lesions in exfoliation glaucoma.
deCODE Glaucoma™ is because of lack of scientific information only applicable to people of European descent.
This content was last reviewed on March 16, 2011.