Role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis and treatment of glaucoma

To gain insight into the potential mechanism of mitochondria dysfunction in pathogenesis, progression and therapeutic management of glaucoma.

The data used in this review were mainly published in English from 2000 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "mitochondria", "glaucoma" and "trabecular meshwork" or "retinal ganglion cells".

Articles studying the mitochondria-related pathologic mechanism and treatment of glaucoma were selected and reviewed.

Mitochondrial dysfunction or injury was demonstrated in different eye tissue of glaucoma. A variety of potential injuries (light, toxic materials, oxidative injury, mechanical stress, aging, etc.) and the inherent DNA defects are deemed to cause mitochondrial structural and functional destruction in trabecular meshwork cells, retinal ganglion cells, etc. of glaucoma. In addition, various new experimental and therapeutic interventions were used to preserve mitochondrial function, which may be useful for protecting against optic nerve degeneration or reducing the death of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma.

Mitochondria play an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, various strategies targeting mitochondrial protection might provide a promising way to delay the onset of glaucoma or protect RGCs against glaucomatous damage.