In the largest genome-wide association study of glaucoma comparing the genes of 34,179 people with the disease to 349,321 control subjects, an international consortium of researchers identified 44 new gene loci and confirmed 83 previously reported loci linked to glaucoma, reported Massachusetts Eye and Ear researcher Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD. Loci are considered “genetic street addresses,” denoting a specific location on a gene. The study’s authors hope the identification of these genes will lead to new treatment targets for this incurable eye disease, which is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.

“These new findings come out of the highest-powered genome-wide association study of glaucoma to date and show the power of team science and using big data to answer questions when research groups around the world join forces,” said Dr. Wiggs, associate chief of ophthalmology clinical research at Mass Eye and Ear.

“The number of genes identified will lead to the discovery of new biological pathways that can lead to glaucoma and, in turn, new targets for therapeutics,” added Dr. Wiggs. The findings were published in Nature Communications.