Gene involved in genetic eye disorder discovered

September 2, 2010

A recent study found an alteration on a specific gene that leads to Fuchs corneal dystrophy in individuals who have the specific genetic marker, ScienceDaily.com reports.

Fuchs doesn't begin to emerge in people until their 40s, and tends to progress slowly, first with blurred or cloudy vision and small bumps on the cornea called guttae. As it becomes more severe, blisters begin to develop on the corneal surface. The discovery of this gene may help scientists learn more about the disease and how it manifests itself.

"Right now, we don't have a treatment for Fuchs dystrophy other than transplant surgery when a patient is at the end stages of the disease. The ultimate goal is to find out how the disease occurs and find a treatment to prevent or slow its progression," Dr Keith Baratz or the Mayo Clinic ophthalmology department told the news source.

According to the news source, an estimated 5 percent of people in the United States have guttae on their corneas.

According to the Eye Bank Association of America, there are more than 40,000 corneal transplants performed each year in the United States.