Proteomic Approaches to Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Mechanisms and Biomarkers

Glaucoma is an age-related ocular disease and leading cause of blindness. While age and intraocular pressure (IOP) are major risk factors for the development of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), eye doctors cannot yet predict who will develop POAG. The identification of additional risk factors is a high priority. The proposed research will identify glaucoma-altered proteins in the clear fluid at the front of the eye (i.e., aqueous humor) that will lead to improved understanding of disease mechanisms and the identification of biomarkers that will assist in caring for glaucoma patients.