[Current status of genome research on open-angle glaucoma in Finland]

Loss of vision and visual impairment due to glaucoma can be prevented or delayed, if the disease is detected at an early stage. The most important risk factors for open-angle glaucoma include age, elevated intraocular pressure, exfoliation of the lens, i.e. exfoliation syndrome, and genetic factors. To date, genetic studies on glaucoma have revealed more than 20 gene loci and three candidate genes, myocilin (MYOC), optineurin (OPTN) and WD repeat domain 36 (WDR36). A mutation in both the MYOC and WDR36 genes has been found in Finnish families.