Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type that causes progressive vision loss, usually from the peripheral visual field (VF) and the central VF in advanced stages.
The established risk factors for glaucoma are age, family history, African heritage, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP); of these, IOP is the only modifiable factor.
Another major type of glaucoma is exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), which is a secondary glaucoma caused by exfoliation syndrome, a systemic condition where greyish white material (exfoliation material) accumulates in various tissues.
Investigators at the Channing Division of Network Medicine (CDNM) have built a comprehensive research strategy to:
Early Channing research evaluated the association between diet, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, reproductive and hormonal factors, and POAG. Our group has also demonstrated that XFG is associated with latitude and homocysteine-related dietary factors.
Our group has collaborated in consortia that have identified novel susceptibility loci for POAG and XFG.
Early research by CDNM investigators has also addressed the nutritional, lifestyle, and hormonal risk factors for cataract extraction and age-related macular degeneration.
We apply a multidisciplinary approach to understand glaucoma etiology, heterogeneity, and pathobiology:
Study populations in CDNM investigations include:
CDNM is involved in the consortia of GENEVA and NEIGHBORHOOD.
