DNA test to predict glaucoma
THE chances of a person developing glaucoma could soon be picked up at birth after scientists identified the genetic risk factors behind the condition.
It could pave the way for DNA screening for the disease – the leading cause of incurable blindness – which comes on later in adult life.
British and US teams identified 133 DNA markers that predicted the chances of a person getting glaucoma with 75 per cent accuracy.
It is hoped the “breakthrough” would lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Lead author Dr Pirro Hysi, of King’s College London, said the findings could help “focus scarce healthcare resources on those most at risk”.
Dr Anthony Khawaja, of London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: “The predictive markers could be measured as early as birth even though it develops in adulthood.” A TEENAGER who shed nearly 5st and won a national slimming award is ready to tackle her next goal – a career singing and dancing on the stage.
Drama-loving Charlotte Randall, 19, embarked on her weight loss drive after a series of embarrassing incidents and the dread of a beach holiday.
And she found that as her 15st 10lb body shrank her confidence grew instead.
Now, after being named Slimming World’s Young Slimmer of the Year 2018, the part-time college student is ready to pursue her dream.
She had always wanted to do performing arts at university but feared she would be forever stuck in “big girl” roles.
Charlotte, from Worthing in West Sussex, said: “My weight held me back a lot in my college studies. I was always the shy one hiding at the back in baggy clothes and I’d never put myself forward for roles.
Dance
“Now I attend extra dance lessons outside of college. I’ve had the confidence to take part in a dance competition and I’ve also joined a gym.”
The 5ft 10in teenager is a vegetarian but piled on pounds with a diet full of junk food.
At her biggest she burst her trousers and needed an extra-long seat belt on a roller coaster at Thorpe Park.
But after joining Slimming World and eating healthily she went from a size 18/20 to a size 10, tipping the scales at 11st.
She said: “It was really hard for me to begin with as I was the youngest in the group and I was embarrassed because I felt that I shouldn’t have let myself get to this point at such an age.
“But now I have so much more energy and I’m achieving my goals without feeling hungry or guilty about what I’m eating.”
Charlotte’s mum Petula and brother James, 20, also go to Slimming World and in total they have lost nearly 13st. The teen wore baggy clothes to hide her weight, which hit nearly 16st
BEFORE
Mid-morning: Crisps Mid-afternoon: Chocolate bar Evening: More chocolate
AFTER
Evening: Small chocolate bar