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A new study led by the University of Bristol in the UK has shown glaucoma could be successfully treated with a single injection using gene therapy, which would improve treatment options, effectiveness and quality of life.
The research team led by academics at the Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences tested a new approach to glaucoma treatment, which includes just a single injection that could provide patients with additional treatment options and benefits.
The treatment targeted part of the eye called the ciliary body, which produces the fluid that maintains pressure within the eye. Using the latest gene editing technology, a gene called Aquaporin1 in the ciliary body was inactivated leading to reduced eye pressure.
Dr Colin Chu from Bristol Medical School, said: "We hope to advance towards clinical trials for this new treatment in the near future. If it's successful it could allow a long-term treatment of glaucoma with a single eye injection, which would improve the quality of life for many patients”.
Academics are currently in discussion with industry partners to support further laboratory work and rapidly progress this new treatment option towards clinical trials.
Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine hope to develop new glaucoma therapies by testing human neurons and a regenerative therapy to rescue dying visual neurons. They’ve received a new five year, US$2 million grant from the National Eye Institute for the project.
People of African ancestry are five times as likely as others to develop glaucoma and up to 15 times as likely to be blinded by the condition, but most research has used data from people of European ancestry.
We are inviting individuals who have accessed eyecare services previously to participate in a focus group discussion so that we can better understand what good eye care means to the patient.