Genetic basis of glaucoma.

The application of molecular genetic techniques to the study of glaucoma has accelerated greatly during the past few years. In addition to localizing and identifying genes for specific types of glaucoma, researchers have begun to characterize the gene products and investigate molecular mechanisms involved in glaucoma. Much research has been focused on the gene expression, protein processing, and mutations of MYOC/TIGR, which is associated with both juvenile-and adult-onset primary open angle glaucoma. Investigations of other glaucoma-related genes, such as PITX2, FOXC1, and CYP1B1, are enabling a better understanding of anterior segment development and its relation to glaucoma.