Page 33 - Demo

Research 33Can you explain briefly what your project is about?Lisa Hill (LH): We%u2019re hoping to develop a new treatment to tackle one of the underlying causes of primary open angle glaucoma. We%u2019re developing some molecules which we hope will reduce scarring in the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork is an important part of the drainage system in the eye. There%u2019s evidence that scarring in the meshwork happens in glaucoma and stops or slows the normal drainage processes. As a result, the pressure increases, and the nerve cells get damaged. In this project, we%u2019ll grow some cells from the meshwork in the lab and introduce some molecules which cause the cells to scar up and stop working properly. That%u2019s mimicking glaucoma. Then we%u2019ll put our new therapy onto the cells to see if it reduces scarring. The next stage will be to use a rodent model in which rats with glaucoma are given our new therapy to see if we can treat the disease in the eye. We%u2019ll look at tissues in the front of the eye, to see if a reduction in scarring improves the drainage through the trabecular meshwork. We%u2019ll also look at whether the pressure inside the eye is reduced, and finally, we will investigate if our treatments can protect the nerve cells in the retina from dying. Most treatments for glaucoma lower the eye pressure, but they don%u2019t really treat the root cause. This project is targeting the processes which are leading to glaucoma developing in the first place. What difference are you hoping it might make to our members and glaucoma patients?Imran Masood (IM): Glaucoma is a lifelong condition, so when someone is diagnosed with %u201cWe%u2019re hoping to develop a new treatment to tackle one of the underlying causes of primary open angle glaucoma