[Potential Impact of DARC Technology in Neuroprotective Therapies]

The ability to use and control primary neuroprotective agents is a promising approach for future treatment designs in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in glaucoma. Previous drug and surgical approaches aim to prevent secondary neuroprotection by reducing intraocular pressure. Imaging procedures play a fundamental role in diagnostics and therapy monitoring. The potential importance of DARC technology (= detection of apoptotic retinal cells: visualisation of retinal cells by fluorescence-labeled annexin V = ANX776 using the cSLO technology) in everyday clinical practice lies in its ease of implementation. The necessary HRT is available in many ophthalmology centres. The use of a fluorescent marker is similar to that of conventional fluorescein angiography. The most important limitation is the individually fluctuating physiological apoptosis of the human retinal ganglion cells, which has to be standardised before this method can be used in everyday clinical practice.