Genetic Research In Glaucoma
UM Kellogg Eye Center
Glaucoma Clinic
1000 Wall Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-763-5874
(Map)

We know there are several different types of glaucoma. Many types of glaucoma are caused by a gene (a specific segment of DNA found in the cells in the body). Once we identify a glaucoma gene, we can start to answer questions by determining how the gene actually causes glaucoma. In the future, this means a simple blood test will be able to identify patients who have a genetic risk factor for developing specific types of glaucoma. Understanding how glaucoma genes work will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and will help patients and their ophthalmologists decide on the most appropriate treatment.

In addition to diagnosing and treating glaucoma, we are looking for answers to several questions:

• What actually causes glaucoma?
  
• Why does one particular treatment work better for some glaucoma patients and different treatments work better for other patients?
  
• Why do some patients have very mild symptoms and other patients have significant visual loss from glaucoma?
  
• How can we accurately diagnosis and treat glaucoma at an early stage so vision loss can be prevented?

We are also studying nearsightedness (high myopia) and farsightedness (high hyperopia) in families with several relatives who started wearing glasses in childhood

Glaucoma Scientists
Paul R. Lichter, M.D.
Sayoko E. Moroi, M.D., Ph.D.
Julia E. Richards, Ph.D.
Frank Rozsa, Ph.D.