Important insights into the mechanisms behind Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED), a common cause of age-related visual loss, have been revealed in a study led by University College London (UCL).
The study, published in eBioMedicine,1 provides hope for future therapeutic developments, and finds implications for other neurological diseases.
FED is a common, inherited eye condition that affects corneal endothelial cells, leading to blurred vision. It is the most common reason for corneal transplants in highincome countries.
The research revealed how FED progresses at a molecular level, highlighting the importance of understanding genetic instability – when cells have high frequency of mutations – in developing new treatments.
The study used advanced optical genome mapping with single-molecule precision.
Lead author Dr Christina Zarouchlioti said the study’s implications extend beyond FED, positioning it as a valuable model for understanding a growing number of other diseases, such as Huntington’s disease and myotonic dystrophies, which share similar mechanisms.
Reference available at mivision.com.au.