Application of molecular genetics to ocular diseases.

With the new advances in molecular genetic technologies and methods has come great progress in mapping disease-causing genes. Many of these methods using polymerase chain reaction have made gene mapping much more efficient and effective. Herein is a brief review of some of the most recent advances in mapping genes causing eye diseases. Despite the technological advances, none of this progress would have been made had not the families been available for studies. Therefore, the clinician is the cornerstone of, essentially, all molecular genetic studies and it is imperative for the clinician to be aware of these diseases and the importance of ascertaining families with these disorders to continue such progress.