Optineurin gene mutation seen in normal-tension glaucoma, not POAG

Mutations in the optineurin gene that are associated with normal tension glaucoma are not associated with adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma, according to a genetic study.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Duke University screened 86 probands with adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma and 80 age-matched control subjects for the optineurin gene. Recurrent mutations were identified in 9% of the probands. However, consistent segregation of the mutation with the disease was not demonstrated in any of the eight families examined.

The study is published in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.