Genetic test may predict glaucoma

June 30, 2010

Sebastian Cielens has a genetic predisposition to glaucoma. Both his father and grandfather contracted the debilitating condition, and he now has it at the age of 35, AdelaideNow.com.au reports.

Cielens is completely blind in one eye and is losing vision in the other. He has an abnormality on his myocilin gene which causes an aggressive form of the condition.

Cielens and his partner have a 10-year-old son and they were concerned that he may now carry the gene mutation and fall victim to the disease like his father. He had a 50 percent chance of being a carrier.

His parents had a genetic test done, and they were ecstatic when they received the news that their son did not carry the abnormal gene.

"A smile went from ear to ear and straight away I called my dad and told him," Cielens told the news source.

According to the news provider, every 65 minutes an Australian loses all or part of their vision, with over 75 percent of the cases having been preventable.