Protection of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma: Current status and future. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Junhui; Wang, Yuanqi; Yao, Ke
• Is Part Of: Experimental eye research. Volume 205(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Glaucoma -- Neuroprotection -- Antiglaucomatous agents -- Antibiotics -- Dietary supplementation -- Novel neuroprotective molecules -- Neurotrophic factors -- Gene therapy -- Cell-based therapy -- Electrical stimulation therapy; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Periodicals; Œil -- Périodiques; Ophthalmology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108506
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4835

Abstract

Abstract: Glaucoma is a neuropathic disease that causes optic nerve damage, loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and visual field defects. Most glaucoma patients have no early signs or symptoms. Conventional pharmacological glaucoma medications and surgeries that focus on lowering intraocular pressure are not sufficient; RGCs continue to die, and the patient's vision continues to decline. Recent evidence has demonstrated that neuroprotective approaches could be a promising strategy for protecting against glaucoma. In the case of glaucoma, neuroprotection aims to prevent or slow down disease progression by mitigating RGCs death and optic nerve degeneration. Notably, new pharmacologic medications such as antiglaucomatous agents, antibiotics, dietary supplementation, novel neuroprotective molecules, neurotrophic factors, translational methods such as gene therapy and cell therapy, and electrical stimulation-based physiotherapy are emerging to attenuate the death of RGCs, or to make RGCs resilient to attacks. Understanding the roles of these interventions in RGC protection may offer benefits over traditional pharmacological medications and surgeries. In this review, we summarize the recent neuroprotective strategy for glaucoma, both in clinical trials and in laboratory research. Highlights: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Protection of RGCs can be a promising therapy for glaucoma. This review summarises the current literature in the field of protection of RGCs in glaucoma. This review discusses neuroprotective strategy of glaucoma for future clinical translation.