[Role of secondary pathogenic factors in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma]

This review deals with the influence of secondary pathogenic factors that include impaired circulatory autoregulation, altered axonal transport, a glutamate calcium cascade of reactions, reduced natural antioxidant system, and accumulated lipid peroxidation products in the eye tissues, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, diminished ciliary muscle function on the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma. The above factors serve as an element of the major pathogenic factors (elevated intraocular pressure, hemodynamic disorders), aggravate the course of a glaucomatous process and should be kept in mind when complex treatment for the disease is used.