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A new method of diagnosing glaucoma at early stages has been developed
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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British scientists have presented to the medical community a simple ophthalmological test that will now help prevent the development of blindness, one of the most dangerous consequences of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a very common pathology. Today, at least 60 million people on the planet suffer from this insidious disease. At the same time, every tenth patient sooner or later completely loses his sight.
British specialists recently conducted an important clinical study, the purpose of which was to detect this pathology at an early stage of development.
Scientists have managed to develop a special device that allows detecting the processes of retinal nerve cell death even before the initial signs of glaucoma appear. If the disease is diagnosed at this stage, it is possible to preserve the visual function of millions of people.
The new diagnostic technique is called DARC (Detection of Apoptotic Retinal Cells). During the diagnostic procedure, the doctor injects the patient with a special fluorescent marker that selectively sticks to dying retinal ganglion cells, visualizing these structures during an examination of the visual organs.
Representatives of the University School of Eye Research in London and the Western Eye Hospital reported on the uniqueness of this method.
According to the authors of the invention, early recognition of glaucoma will allow for more effective treatment and stopping the disease at an early stage of development.
Perhaps this diagnostic device will also be in demand for detecting such pathologies as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as multiple sclerosis.
Dr Cordeiro, from UCL's Institute of Eye Sciences, explains: "Early detection of glaucoma is very important as the first signs of the disease are not always obvious. Over many years of research we have finally been able to detect the death of individual neurons in the retina, identifying the very first, initial stage of the disease."
As with neurodegenerative disorders, the death of retinal nerve cells indicates progression of glaucoma. For this reason, the diagnostics can also be used to determine other pathologies of the nervous system.
"It is preferable to treat glaucoma, like any other disease, at an early stage, when the disease process has not yet spread far. Our discovery will soon be tested in practice. We assume that from now on we will be able to detect glaucoma at least 10 years earlier than it was possible to do with other diagnostic procedures," says Dr. Philipp Bloom, one of the founders of the project.
Additional studies conducted by scientists have shown that the fluorescent method is completely safe for the human body.
The funding was provided by UCL Business, based at University College London, with support from the Wellcome Trust.
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