Glaucoma would be detected in early signs by new research

London, April 30:A new eye  test developed by researchers that could help solve the biggest global cause of glaucoma,by detecting the onset of the disease at a early stage.Glaucoma is caused by the death of cells in the retina at the back of the eye,by lossing vision in patients. This cell death is called apoptosis.Glaucoma affects an estimated 60 million people in the world, with one in 10 suffering total sight loss in both the eyes.
A new eye test called DARC stands for detection of apoptosing retinal cells came with new technology.It uses a specially developed fluorescent marker which attaches to cell proteins when injected into patients.In clinical tests, the pioneering diagnostic developed by researchers at the University College London (UCL) and the Western Eye Hospital in England allowed doctors to see individual nerve cell death in the back of the eye.
"Detecting glaucoma early is vital as symptoms are not always obvious. Although detection has been improving, most patients have lost a third of vision by the time they are diagnosed," said led researcher Professor Francesca Cordeiro of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.