Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 27, 2004
Genetic test helps diagnose eye diseases: HK expert
Genetic tests are capable of diagnosing genetic eye diseases which can lead to decline and even loss of vision in an early stage, said a source with Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
Genetic tests are capable of diagnosing genetic eye diseases which can lead to decline and even loss of vision in an early stage, said a source with Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
According to CUHK, genetic eye diseases that could lead to vision loss are estimated to affect about 5 percent of the world population. Early detection of some genetic eye diseases such as primary open-angle glaucoma and retinoblastoma can help reduce therisk of vision decline.
Because of this, CUHK announced Friday at a press conference the establishment of LIM Por-yen Eye Genetics Research Center to provide citizens with genetic screening of genetic eye diseases.
"Through genetic screening, we can identify individuals at highrisk of developing a particular disease such as primary open-angleglaucoma. By providing regular check-up for these high risk individuals, we will be able to detect and treat the disease at anearly stage, which implies a better long-term outcome," said Prof.Dennis Shun-chiu Lam, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of CUHK and Director of LIM Por-yen Eye Genetics Research Center.
Genetic screening is also helpful to family planning and pre-natal diagnosis in cases of retinoblastoma.
Dr. Dorothy Shu-ping Fan, an associate professor of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of CUHK, and director of Genetic Counseling of LIM Por-yen Eye Genetics Research Center, said, retinoblastoma can cause not only bilateralblindness but also death if not treated early enough. In patients with positive family history, there is a 50 percent chance of their siblings and offspring to be suffering from retinoblastoma.
The LIM Por-yen Eye Genetics Research Center will start offering South East Asia's first genetic screening service for genetic eye diseases to citizens from April 1.