Analysis of Pseudoexfoliation Material

Glaucoma is a potentially blinding disease of the eye, in which the normal drainage channels of the eye become clogged. Of the 30 types of glaucoma that occur, one of the most difficult to control is caused by the accumulation of an excess material within the eye, called pseudoexfoliation material. In this condition, the eye forms the pseudoexfoliation material which then becomes deposited within the drainage channels, causing glaucoma. In the United States, about 15% of all cases of glaucoma are due to this problem. The reason why the eye forms this material, and indeed why only some eyes form it, is unknown. The exact chemical composition of the material is also unknown. With the advances in molecular biology, it would someday be possible to determine why the material is formed, and how to stop formation of it, if the exact chemical composition were known. Analysis of the material to date has been prevented by the small amounts of the material which can be obtained from the eye.

Hypothesis

Use of a modern technique, mass spectrometry, will allow the analysis of small amounts of pseudoexfoliation material. The exact chemical composition can be determined with this technique.

Specific Aims

1. Refine the technique of mass spectrometry for analysis of pseudoexfoliation material.
2. Find the proper solutions to dissolve the material so analysis can be performed.
3. Determine the exact chemical composition of the material.

Long-Term Goals

Once the chemical composition of the material is determined, molecular biology techniques will be used to determine the DNA sequence of it. Search will then be made for factors which turn this gene on, and for factors which will turn the gene off. Development of a specific enzyme to dissolve the material would be useful in treating the condition.