Khaberni - Researchers in the United States have announced a discovery that could lead to a revolution in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma (blue water), one of the most serious eye diseases that gradually leads to irreversible vision loss.
The new study was led by a team from the University of Missouri, revealing the role of two natural molecules in the body that might help in the future to prevent the disease’s progression or detect it in its early stages.
The discovery revolves around two molecules, Agmatine and Thiamine (Vitamin B1), where researchers noted that their levels are significantly low in patients with glaucoma compared to healthy individuals, according to ScienceAlert.
According to the scientific team, these two molecules can serve as biomarkers that allow doctors to detect the disease before symptoms appear or irreversible damage to the optic nerve occurs. Pawan Singh, a researcher in ophthalmology at the University of Missouri, explained that many patients do not know they have glaucoma until it is too late when the eye pressure has already risen and irreversible damage has begun to manifest.
Promising Experiments and Results
According to the study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, it was found that increasing levels of Agmatine and Thiamine in mice with glaucoma led to reduced inflammation in the retina and protection of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) which the disease typically destroys, in addition to improving the visual capacity of the mice.
Future Prospects
Meanwhile, the team from the University of Missouri believes that this discovery could open the door to the possibility of diagnosing glaucoma through a simple blood test, which could facilitate early intervention before permanent damage occurs.
Singh pointed out that the long-term goal is to develop a blood test that doctors can use to detect the disease early, before any vision loss occurs.
However, despite the impressive results, scientists have confirmed that the road is still long before transforming this discovery into a clinical treatment, with more trials on humans needed.
