World-first research in Australia is looking at the way genes behave abnormally in different types of cataracts, which might help find more targeted therapies or stop cataracts altogether.
In the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) study, researchers looked at the genes of people with four different types of cataracts: age-related cataracts, uveitic cataracts (from eye inflammation), steroid-induced cataracts, and post-vitrectomy cataracts.
They took samples of lens cells from 89 patients undergoing routine cataract surgery in Melbourne hospitals, transferring those to the Australian Genome Research Facility for sequencing.
The research was published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
Dr Carrie Fei, who led the research with Dr Michael Dong, said it was the first project that directly compared gene activity across the four types of cataracts.
“Human cataracts have been very difficult to reliably study as we do not have a reliable animal model,” Dr Fei said.
“Being able to look directly at the human lens and extract genes is relatively new.
“This is the first study that we know of that has really done it in these types of secondary cataract.”
In cases of cataracts caused by inflammation, those samples showed heightened activity from genes associated with inflammation and cell death, while different genes were more active in stress and inflammation pathways.
The team also saw differences in steroid-induced cataract samples and those that developed after vitrectomy.
Dr Fei said the findings provided some valuable leads.
“This project has created a significant pool of data for other researchers to build upon,” she said.
“Understanding the different pathways that lead to cataract formation could one day help in developing targeted treatments or even stopping them before they form.”
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