Genetic risk of Glaucoma
Common diseases occur at the interface of genes and the environment, as both inherited as well as lifestyle and other health risk factors play important roles in the disease process. As a result, it is important to understand what carrying an inherited risk variant for a common disease means, and how that information can be used to develop and implement disease prevention strategies that can effectively reduce the likelihood of an individual ever developing the disease.
In basic terms, carrying a genetic risk variant for a common disease does not mean that a person will necessarily develop the disease; and not having a certain risk variant does not eliminate the possibility of getting the disease. Rather, for the common diseases, genetic risk variants impact the likelihood that one may develop the disease. This is also true in a disease like glaucoma, in which risk factors other than genetics play a significant part in disease development.
The deCODE Glaucoma™ test can only be ordered by qualified physicians and medical practitioners. If you are an individual interested in deCODE Glaucoma™, you can sit down with your doctor and/or continue through this site.
By understanding inherited risk, it may be possible to take preventive action – through regular eye-exams or certain treatments – to minimize risk of the devastating consequences of glaucoma, vision loss or blindness.