Genetic markers in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate possible associations between genetic markers and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: A number of genetic markers were typed in 84 unrelated patients with POAG and compared with a random sample of healthy individuals. The markers were Transferrin, Group Specific Component, G1m (1), G1m (2) and G3m (5) Allotypes, Adenylate Kinase, Adenosin Deaminase, Glyoxalase I and Acid Phosphatase and PCR-based markers HLA-DQA1 and D1S80.

Results: No significant differences were found except the strong association between the group of POAG patients and Acid Phosphatase ACP*C allele (chi 2 = 32.86; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Since Acid Phosphatase gene is localized to chromosome 2p23, this result could be a first comprehensive step in the localization of POAG genes.