Genetic Diagnosis and Therapeutics of Eye Diseases

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2025 | Viewed by 502

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar General Hospital, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
Interests: ophthalmology; glaucoma; macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; molecular diagnosis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ophthalmology is entering a transformative era by integrating genomic technologies into diagnostics and therapeutics. Many ocular disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, are rooted in genetic variation. Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics, and gene-targeted therapies enable earlier diagnoses and more personalised treatment strategies.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research at the interface of molecular diagnostics, clinical translation, and precision therapeutics in ophthalmology. We encourage submissions across two core thematic areas:

  • Diagnostic Genomics in Ophthalmology: including variant discovery, genotype–phenotype correlations, polygenic risk scores, and novel applications of NGS in inherited eye diseases.
  • Clinical Translation and Therapeutic Innovation: including gene replacement therapy, CRISPR-based editing, RNA-targeted interventions, drug delivery systems, and strategies for long-term treatment monitoring.

To ensure translational relevance, contributors are strongly encouraged to address the following:

  • Clinical readiness: manufacturing considerations, regulatory status, and safety data
  • Long-term outcomes: durability of therapeutic effects and post-treatment follow-up
  • Ethical and societal dimensions: including equitable access, affordability, and the responsible implementation of emerging therapies

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications that bridge basic genomic insights with real-world clinical applications. Interdisciplinary contributions that link molecular discoveries to translational impacts are particularly encouraged.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue, which aims to define the current and future directions of genetic diagnostics and precision therapy in ophthalmology.

Dr. Suzana Konjevoda
Dr. Snježana Kaštelan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • genetic eye diseases
  • inherited retinal disorders
  • ophthalmic genetics
  • gene therapy
  • genetic diagnosis
  • retinitis pigmentosa
  • leber congenital amaurosis
  • personalised medicine
  • ocular therapeutics
  • genomic medicine
  • molecular diagnostics
  • precision ophthalmology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

16 pages, 751 KB  
Review
Genetic Therapy of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: Where Are We? A Review
by Spela Stunf Pukl
Genes 2025, 16(10), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16101222 - 15 Oct 2025
Viewed by 326
Abstract
Objectives: The incidence of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is growing, and with it, the unmet need for a corneal transplant. Among alternative treatment modalities, only genetic therapy represents a causal therapy. Methods: Following the SNARA protocol, the PubMed and ClinicalTrials databases were [...] Read more.
Objectives: The incidence of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is growing, and with it, the unmet need for a corneal transplant. Among alternative treatment modalities, only genetic therapy represents a causal therapy. Methods: Following the SNARA protocol, the PubMed and ClinicalTrials databases were searched using the keywords Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, FECD, genetic therapy, and CRISPR-Cas9. Results: FECD is polyfactorial disease and mutations or polymorphisms in at least 15 different genes were connected to the disease. For the early-onset form of the disease, exclusive connection to mutations in COL8A2 was confirmed, while for the late-onset form, the most characteristic mutation is the expansion of the CTG18.1 triplet in the TCF4 gene, making these two possible targets. While the CRISPR-Cas9 approach represents the mainstay of genetic therapy development recently, the application of this method to FECD contains several obstacles, studied in preclinical settings. DT-168 and the Ad-Cas9-Col8a2gRNA molecules were developed for FECD treatment and preclinically tested, and phase I and II clinical studies for DT-168 are also already being performed. Conclusions: The review of the literature proved that genetic therapy for FECD is at the level of preclinical research and that there are several specific challenges connected to the target genetic mutation as well as the delivery of possible treatment and duration of the effect. Further studies in the field might bring solutions in the future for alternative treatments for this common corneal disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diagnosis and Therapeutics of Eye Diseases)
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