LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), in a joint research, have identified a gene responsible for causing blindness in children. This finding would become a ray of light for thousands of children who lose their eyesight early in their lives. The research team has not only identified the gene responsible for causing blindness, but also developed a detection system for early diagnosis of this congenital disease.

The disease, known as primary congenital glaucoma, or early childhood blindness, is because of a genetic defect, which causes poor development of the eye as well as vision.

According to CDFD Director S E Hasnain, "Though the child is born healthy, but as the child grows it starts showing signs of the disease, so much so that before he or she celebrates the 12th birthday, the child becomes completely blind."

Hasnain said one out of every 3,300 children in AP was affected by this disease and accounted for 4.2 per cent of all childhood blindness. The prime cause for this disease was inbreeding, he said.

There is no cure for this disease at present, though operation is done in some cases. The success of operation depends on how early the child is brought to the hospital. Prevention of marriages within the family is the only solution to this crippling disease. However, with the new research finding, cure seems to be not far away.