Glaucoma research

Glaucoma is the second most prevalent cause of blindness world-wide. Find out more about our research into glaucoma, and use our glaucoma search filter to search for evidence-based research.

The Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma (ANZRAG) established by Flinders University’s Professor Jamie Craig, aims to provide the world’s largest collection of advanced glaucoma cases, along with clinical information and DNA, to ascertain new, genetic glaucoma risk profiles.

Better identification of those people at high risk of glaucoma, through genetic screening, would result in an overall reduction of preventable blindness by treating the condition before serious sight loss has occurred.

Funding provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council:

• 1147571 Translation of glaucoma blindness genes to improve clinical practice
• 1150144 Translating molecular determinants of advanced glaucoma to personalise risk profiling in early disease
• 1065433 Disease Registry based approaches to determining molecular risk factors for glaucoma blindness, and applying them in clinical practice.
• 1048037 Towards translation of glaucoma blindness genes into clinical practice: predicting Risk Of Glaucoma: Relevant SNPs with Strong Association (PROGRESSA) Study.

Predicting the genetic risk of glaucoma

Little is known about the genetics of glaucoma and a more thorough understanding of the biological pathways involved may lead to better risk prediction and treatment options.

Better identification of those people at high risk of glaucoma, through genetic screening, would result in an overall reduction of preventable blindness by identifying those at risk and treating the condition before serious sight loss has occurred.

Funding for this research is provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council:

• 1107098 High penetrance deleterious mutations in blinding glaucoma.
• 1032911 Translation of Genetic Eye Research (TOGER).
• 1031347 Functional analysis of recently identified novel glaucoma genes.

Congenital glaucoma

A number of genetic variations have been identified - some by our researchers - that are associated with congenital forms of glaucoma. Further identification of these genetic variants will help in early detection and treatment of congenital glaucoma and counselling families about the risk of recurrence and reproductive options.

Funding for this research is provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council:

• 1154824 Translating molecular determinants of advanced glaucoma to personalise risk profiling in early disease
• 1147571 Translation of glaucoma blindness genes to improve clinical practice
• 1132454 Targeting at risk relatives of glaucoma patients for early diagnosis and treatment (TARRGET) (Lead Institute: University of Western Australia)
• 1116360 From discovery to therapy in genetic eye diseases (Lead Institute: University of Western Australia)
• 1150144 Translating genetic determinants of glaucoma into better diagnosis and treatment.