Head author, Chenxu Yu, Ph.D helming a latest study reported the findings about inching nearer to a test which could positively transform the manner in which symptoms of glaucoma are diagnosed.
Glaucoma is the second prevalent reason for eyesight failure and sightlessness affecting seventy million individuals globally inclusive of two million in the U.S. It is a collection of eye disorders which could harm the optic nerve that conveys optical information to the brain from the eyes. It generally is the result of fluid pressure building up over spans of time that exerts pressure on the optic nerve leading to its damage. Vision damage occurs with no apparent caveat signs that could caution the person into visiting a physician. It is not curable and leads to irretrievable vision loss.
Physicians presently employ duo key methods for detecting symptoms of glaucoma, namely tonometry involving measurement of eye pressure through gentle contact with the eye’s exterior surface employing a specialized device. The other method is ophthalmoscopy conducted by an ophthalmologist using a device known as ophthalmoscope to have a direct glance via the pupil at the optic nerve. Colour of the nerve and its appearance could suggest glaucoma caused harm.
Frequently such tests diagnose signs of glaucoma in a stage wherein the disease has covertly caused considerable harm to the optic nerve. The foremost biological alterations linked to glaucoma could surface subsequent to passage of several years.
Researchers in this study are keen on detecting glaucoma sooner, prior to lasting harm having developed so that drug intake could commence quicker for controlling it.
Yu and associated reported that Raman spectroscopy which is a method employed for chemistry and several labs comprises of directing a shaft of infra-red laser light (non-noticeable to the human eye) on to a test sample for obtaining data regarding the sample constitution.
Yu’s technique employs Raman spectroscopy wherein laser light is shone via pupil of the eye. Retinal ganglion or optic nerve cells within the eyes disperse the light creating a rainbow-similar band or pattern which reveals chemical constitution of the cells. Researchers could then employ that snap for identifying bio-chemical variations in retinal cells which make glaucoma existence known.
The investigators proclaimed that they were satisfied with the outcomes of animal retinal tissue analysis from dog species with glaucoma in which the method identified signs of glaucoma with ninety percent correctness.
The researchers are looking ahead to likely clinical studies on humans. In case outcomes of animal-based trials go as intended and reveal good efficiency and safety, then this test could be expected to be obtainable in the subsequent 5 years. The test probably lasting thirty minutes which is lengthier as compared to existent glaucoma tests however could be beneficial for patients due to its greater accuracy of disease detection.
