Molecular genetics of the glaucomas: Mapping of the first five {open_quotes}GLC{close_quotes} loci

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1997 · American Journal of Human Genetics

OSTI ID:518505

Raymond, V

Glaucoma encompasses a complex of ocular-disease entities characterized by an optic neuropathy in which degeneration of retinal ganglion cells leads to a characteristic excavation of the head of the optic nerve. Such damage causes progressive narrowing of the visual fields and, when uncontrolled, blindness. Affected people often have ocular hypertension defined as intraocular pressures consistently >21 mm Hg in both eyes. Although ocular hypertension is no longer an obligatory diagnostic criterion for glaucoma, it is still recognized as one of the most important risk factors. A diagnosis of glaucoma is made after observation of the characteristic atrophy of the optic nerve, which is associated with typical visual field defects. In 1992, the World Health Organization estimated that, in the global population, 5.2 million people were blind as a result of glaucoma, making it the third leading cause of blindness worldwide. The most common form is adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma, which represents {ge}50% of all cases of glaucoma. Among Caucasians, this form of the disorder affects {approximately}2% of the population >45 years old. In African Americans, prevalence of adult-onset open-angle glaucoma is three to four times higher than that observed in White Americans. More than 15 million North Americans may have some form of glaucoma, but at least half of them may not be aware of it. 43 refs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 518505
• Journal Information: American Journal of Human Genetics, Vol. 60, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
SENSE ORGANS DISEASES
RISK ASSESSMENT
DIAGNOSIS
AGE DEPENDENCE
GENES
GENETIC MAPPING
GENE MUTATIONS
DNA-CLONING
TRANSCRIPTION
PATIENTS
HEREDITARY DISEASES
CONGENITAL DISEASES
EYES
HYPERTENSION
HUMAN CHROMOSOMES
WHO
HUMAN CHROMOSOME 3
HUMAN CHROMOSOME 2
HUMAN CHROMOSOME 6
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
HUMAN CHROMOSOME 1
CONTIGS