For the first time ,scientists have developed a simple eye-test that may help treat ‘Glaucoma’, the biggest cause of irreversible blindness, by detecting the disease 10 years earlier than was previously possible.

Important: This test also has the potential for early diagnosis of other degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson s, Alzheimer s and multiple sclerosis.

Glaucoma is caused by the death of cells in the retina at the back of the eye called ‘apoptosis’  Researchers   developed a technique which allows doctors to see individual cell death at the back of the eye. this is vital as symptoms are not always obvious. so, detecting glaucoma signs early means treatment can be started early before symptoms begin.

The technique is called DARC- detection of  apoptosing retinal cells-uses a fluorescent marker which attaches to cell protein when injected. The sick cells then appear  as white fluorescent spots on examination.

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