AQP-9, KCNJ11 and ABCC8 Gene Variants in Open Angle Glaucoma: A Hypothesis

Abstract

Importance: Primary open angle glaucoma, an agerelated, retinal neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology, is treated by lowering intraocular pressure, even though elevated intraocular pressure is present in only about 60% of patients. Since we found that tolbutamide, which inhibits the opening of ATPsensitive potassium channels, modulates aqueous dynamics with a significant increase in outflow, and since aquaporin-9 is essential for retinal ganglion cells survival, gene variants coding for the ATP-sensitive potassium channels and aquaporin-9 may participate in the development and progression of glaucoma.Objective: To identify gene variants involved in ion and water transport in the trabecular meshwork of glaucoma donors.