Therapeutic Approach of Nanotechnology for Oxidative Stress Induced Ocular Neurodegenerative Diseases

Oxidative stress plays a role in many different forms of neurodegenerative ocular disease. The imbalance between the generation of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their corresponding neutralization by endogenous antioxidant defense systems leads to cellular oxidative stress, oxidation of different bio-macromolecules, and eventually retinal disease. As a result, the administration of supplemental endogenous antioxidant materials or exogenous ROS scavengers is an interesting therapeutic approach for the treatment of forms of ocular disease associated with oxidative stress. Thus far, different dietary antioxidant supplements have been proven to be clinically reliable and effective, and different antioxidant gene therapy approaches are under investigation. In addition, various metal oxide nanoparticles were shown to be effective in defending against oxidative stress-associated injury. These benefits are due to free radical scavenging properties of the materials arising from non-stoichiometric crystal defects and oxygen deficiencies. Here we discuss the application of this approach to the protection of the retina.