Molecular diagnostics of ocular diseases: the application of antibody microarray

Proteomic analyses as applied to ocular aqueous humor provide evidence that this approach may be used to identify ocular disease with particular reference to cataract and glaucoma. Protein alterations bear pathogenic relevance for disease development. Among the different methods available, antibody microarray seems to be the most readily transferable to the clinic. However, this method still bears some limitations, such as the relatively small number of proteins analyzed and the poor specificity. Proteomic analysis is able to depict the pathogenesis of common ocular diseases and to produce data of both diagnostic and prognostic relevance. Proteome alterations detected in the aqueous humor of glaucomatous patients reflect degeneration occurring in target tissues - that is, the trabecular meshwork, retina and optic nerve head. Performed studies indicate good performances of aqueous humor analysis by antibody microarray for glaucoma diagnosis. Future development is addressed to improve antibody microarray specificity and to set up minimally invasive procedures for aqueous humor sampling.