A multicentre Australian study found high polygenic risk among Europeans was associated with more rapid structural and functional progression in early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), despite more intensive treatment. 

Using a previous study’s clinical and genetic data, researchers performed structural progression analyses on 1,777 eyes from 896 individuals and functional progression analyses on 1,563 eyes from 808 individuals. Led by Flinders University’s Dr Owen Siggs, researchers found patients in the top 5% of glaucoma polygenic risk scores (PRS) had a higher risk of visual field progression than the remaining 95% after five years. 

“PRS may serve as a valuable adjunct to identify individuals who stand to benefit the most from more frequent surveillance and earlier or more intensive treatment,” they concluded.