The discovery of two genes leads to blindness

A group of Singaporean scientists have discovered two genes in the collagen family that are closely linked to the central horn film thickness (CCT), a risk factor for glaucoma - the most common cause of to irreversible blindness worldwide.

Structure of the eye. (Artwork; source: Internet)

The scientists studied medical records of more than 5,000 people affected by poor vision and major eye-related diseases in various minority groups in Singapore.

Identify the genes that influence decisively on CCT in humans to help us better understand the mechanism between CCT and glaucoma.

This is considered to be the largest and unprecedented study of extensive genetic association (GWAS) for CCT in Singapore.

This study was made by scientists from the Singapore Genome Institute, Singapore Institute of Science, Technology and Research, Singapore Eye Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Duke-NUS Medical University and American scientists. and Australia to cooperate.