Researchers from Columbia University in New York, USA, report that three-quarters of vision impairment in the elderly—a major cause of blindness—is due to two specific genes.
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| Age-related vision impairment causes blindness for millions each year (Photo: TTO) |
Previous studies have indicated that certain mutations in a gene known as Factor H are responsible for this vision deterioration. Factor H regulates the production of a protein that helps prevent the immune system from reacting to infectious diseases.
Individuals with genetic variations of Factor H often struggle to control inflammation caused by infections. This leads to progressive vision impairment in later life.
However, the research also found that one in three individuals with mutated Factor H did not experience any vision loss. Consequently, researchers focused on identifying a second gene. Genetic analysis of 1,300 people helped pinpoint this second gene, known as Factor B.
Factor B plays a role in stimulating immune system activity. Due to the complementary roles of these two genes, a mutation in Factor B can protect the body from vision deterioration, even if the body has mutations in Factor H, and vice versa.
Surveys indicate that 74% of patients with vision impairment possess either Factor H or Factor B, or both. However, none exhibited mutations in either of these factors.
Age-related vision impairment leads to blindness for millions worldwide each year. This condition is caused by degeneration of the macula located in the retina, damaging the central vision area and resulting in blindness.
The discoveries made by British scientists open up promising prospects for treating blindness in the elderly globally in the near future.
KHANG LINH
