About Exfoliation Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that all have in common that they result in damage to the eye’s main nerve of vision, the optic nerve. There are two basic forms of glaucoma, open- and closed-angle glaucoma, both related to increased inner eye pressure but for different reasons. Glaucoma usually affect both eyes, but the disease can progress more rapidly in one eye than in the other.
The front of the eye is filled with a clear fluid which provides nourishment to the structures in the front of the eye. This fluid is produced constantly within the eye and then flows through the pupil and leaves the eye through tiny channels. These channels are located at what is called the filtering, or drainage angle of the eye.
In most people, the filtering angles are wide open, although in some individuals, they can be narrow. If the eye's draining channels becomes clogged or blocked, the pressure within the eye builds up and results in optic nerve damage.
In most populations, open-angle glaucoma is by far the most common type of glaucoma. Its frequency increases with age, due to the drainage mechanism gradually becoming clogged. The pressure within the eye, therefore, builds up painlessly and without symptoms. Furthermore, since the resulting loss of vision starts affecting side vision, people are usually not aware of the problem until the loss starts affecting their central visual area.
Exfoliative glaucoma is characterized by deposits of flaky material on the front surface of the lens and in the angle of the eye. The accumulation of this material in the angle is believed to block the drainage system of the eye and thus raise the inner eye pressure. While this type of glaucoma can occur in any population, it is most prevalent in older people and people of Scandinavian descent.
Exfoliation glaucoma is characterized by rapid progression and high resistance to medical therapy. Family history is an important risk factor pointing to a role of genetic factors in the development of this disease.
The discovery of glaucoma genes provides a method for early detection of glaucoma. Genetic testing can identify those at highest risk for developing exfoliation glaucoma. Those at highest risk would include family members of patients with known glaucoma gene defects and members of families with a strong history of inherited glaucoma. Regular monitoring by a physician of the eye pressure of these individuals is recommended.
If you have additional questions regarding the deCODE study or the deCODE Glaucoma™ test, please contact deCODE at diagnostics@decode.com, or by phone at 1-877-222-6510 and a deCODE representative will respond promptly to your questions.