Researchers at University College London have developed a new test which they say could make it possible to detect and prevent Glaucoma up to a decade before any symptoms appear.

The test involves injecting a fluorescent dye into the bloodstream, which then attaches itself to dying cells in the retina. These cells then show up as white dots when an optician examines the back of the eye.

It is estimated that 60 million people worldwide are affected by Glaucoma, and that up to 20 million suffer some form of vision loss before diagnosis. Intervention before the disease takes hold would have a significant impact. The test also has potential for early diagnosis of other degenerative neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.

So far the technique has only been trialled for safety on a small number of people, and the researchers say that far more research is needed into the viability of the technique before it can be offered to patients.  

Sources:

1. BBC News:
   Test may spot glaucoma before symptoms begin, study says.

2. UCL:
   New eye test detects earliest signs of glaucoma.