Understanding the genetic basis for steroid-induced eye pressure to develop personalised medicine

Overview

Steroid implants are used in ophthalmology to treat inflammation in the eye. In ophthalmology, steroids eyedrops are also used to treat a wide variety of eye diseases and after surgery to reduce inflammation. Some of these conditions are chronic and require long-term steroid use.

Steroids can increase the pressure within the eye. This steroid response this is determined by individual genetic factors in each patient. These genetic factors are unknown which means researchers cannot predict who is at risk and they cannot clinical care in a personalised way – deliver personalised medicine.

The aim of this study is to determine the genetic basis for steroid-induced eye pressure to develop predictive genetic tests and also to improve our understanding of the genetics of eye pressure leading to glaucoma.

The project will involve blood samples being taken from approximately 400 patients who have consistently been treated with steroids. The samples will then be analysed using a panel of genetic markers to understand the underlying genetic basis for the condition. This study will be the first of its size and kind, based on well-examined patients, with enough samples to show a clinically significant effect.

This study could lead to patient’s receiving a steroid implant, we could predict their risk of developing raised pressure and glaucoma based on analysing a panel of genetic markers and the clinician would have the ability to tailor monitoring and potentially treatment dose to provide personalised medicine.

This study could lead to the prediction of the patients risk of developing raised pressure and glaucoma, based on analysing a panel of genetic markers. The clinician would have the ability to tailor monitoring and potentially treatment dose to provide personalised medicine.