Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Ophthalmology

Background: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness incapacitating over 80 million people worldwide. Several pathogenetic mechanisms have been postulated to explain the optic nerve damage that occur in POAG among which genetic predisposition is prominent. Gene-Linkage-based studies have identified genes associated with POAG: Myocilin, Optineurin, WDR36, Tank-Binding Kinase (TBK1) and APbb-2.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of myocilin gene mutation in adult-onset POAG patients and non-glaucoma subjects who are indigenes of Rivers State.

Methodology: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 393 POAG patients attending the Glaucoma Clinic of UPTH, were compared with 393 age and sex- matched phenotypically normal participants. Clinical assessment combined with findings from clinical records were used. Venous blood was obtained for genomic analyses. Extracted DNA were sequenced with specific primers for myocilin and polymerase chain reaction. Zymo-Bead Genomic DNA kit protocol was used to detect allelic differences.

Results: Total of 786 participants participated in the study. The mean age was 59.8 ± 11.8 years. The prevalence of myocilin gene mutation (MYOC) in the study population was 5.3%, in the POAG group was 8.4%, and 2.3% in the non-glaucoma group. This observed difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). Location of the mutant myocilin gene was in GLC1A 171638779, 171638703, 171638610 and 171638608.

Conclusion: Mutations in myocilin gene are associated with adult-onset POAG in Rivers State. It’s relevance as a biomarker for diagnosis of adult-onset POAG needs further investigations.