Methods are described for assessing an individual's risk for developing earl y- onset glaucoma, and for developing glaucoma with a high intraocular pressure at onset of disease, by assessing the ApoE alleles and/or the ApoE gene promoter alleles of the individual. In individuals carrying mutations in the TIGR gene, the presence of an ApoE4 allele is indicative of an increased ris k of developing early-onset glaucoma. In individuals carrying mutations in the TIGR gene promoter, the presence of an ApoE4 allele is indicative of an decreased risk of developing glaucoma with a high intraocular pressure at onset of disease. The combination of an ApoE4 allele and a 'T' allele of a ApoE gene promoter in an individual carrying a mutation in the TIGR gene is also indicative of an increased risk of developing early-onset glaucoma. The presence of a 'T' allele of an ApoE gene promoter, regardless of whether a mutation in the TIGR gene is present or absent, is indicative of an increase d risk of developing glaucoma with a high intraocular pressure at onset of disease.
DIAGNOSIS OF GLAUCOMA