Family studies in glaucoma.

There is now strong evidence for a genetic basis to glaucoma. Numerous family histories have been recorded, and Dodinval, Prijot, and Weekers (I970) consider that at least 20 per cent. of cases of open-angle glaucoma are of a familial and hereditary character. Ad- ditional evidence derives from studies of the families of patients with glaucoma. Miller and Paterson (I962) found an incidence of 8 per cent in the first-degree relatives over the age of 40 years of I 25 sibs and children of patients with chronic simple glaucoma. Two additional cases were diagnosed on further follow-up (Paterson, I 970).