Gene editing techniques researched for treating glaucoma

Researchers at the University of Bristol have successfully used gene editing techniques to demonstrate a potential one-time therapy for glaucoma.

Funded by Fight for Sight and published in Molecular Therapy, researchers found that the CRISPR technique prevented the build-up of fluid and resulting increase in eye pressure by altering the aquaporin-1 gene.

It is hoped that the treatment can be taken to clinical trial in the next few years and become available in the next decade.

Dr Colin Chu, lead researcher at the University of Bristol, said: ‘The benefit of this new treatment is that with one simple injection we could potentially reduce someone’s eye pressure for a long time. In theory because it permanently edits the genetic code, a single treatment might be all you need.’