Molecular genetics of age-related cataract

Advances in molecular biological and genetic technology have greatly accelerated elucidation of the genetic contribution to age-related cataract. Epidemiological studies have documented tendencies for cataracts to occur more frequently in relatives of cataract patients than in the general population, genetic studies have demonstrated contributory roles of some specific genes in age related cataract in small populations. and molecular studies have shown changes in expression of specific genes in cataractous lenses. Together, these studies are beginning to provide a conceptual framework for understanding age-related cataracts. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.