A large study involving more than 21,000 people with glaucoma suggests that genetic information could help identify those at high risk long before symptoms appear. Researchers used a polygenic risk score, which combines the effects of many genetic variants, to estimate each person’s lifetime risk. Nearly half of those in the highest-risk group developed glaucoma, compared with fewer than 3% in the lowest-risk group. People with higher genetic risk also tended to develop more severe disease requiring additional medications, laser therapy, or surgery. While further research is needed, these findings could pave the way for personalized screening and earlier treatment to help prevent irreversible vision loss.
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