In a preferred aspect of the invention, the upstream sequences of the TIGR protein encoding sequence can be used to diagnose a sensivity to steroids and a risk for glaucoma or ocular hypertensive disorders. Methods, kits, and nucleic acids containing polymorphisms, base substitutions, or base additions located within the upstream region and within protein-encoding regions of the TIGR gene are also provided. The upstream sequences disclosed, including the TIGR promoter regions and those regions possessing functional characterisitics associated with or possesssed by the TIGR gene 5'regulatory region, can also be used to generate cells, vectors, and nucleic acids useful in a variety of diagnostic and prognostic methods and kits as well as therapeutic compounds, compositions, and methods.