Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
08:17
Optical Coherence Tomography: Imaging Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vivo
Published on: September 22, 2017
19.6K
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Characterized by Flavoprotein Fluorescence at the Optic
Davis B Zhou1, Maria V Castanos1, Lawrence Geyman2
1Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Ophthalmology. Glaucoma
|December 30, 2021
Summary
Flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF) is elevated in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction at the optic nerve head rim. Higher FPF correlates with glaucoma severity, suggesting its potential as a disease marker.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Glaucoma Research
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
- Optic nerve head (ONH) rim is a critical site for glaucomatous damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF) at the ONH rim as a potential marker of mitochondrial dysfunction in POAG.
- To compare FPF levels between POAG and control eyes.
- To assess the correlation between FPF and glaucoma severity metrics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study involving 86 eyes (50 POAG, 36 control).
- OcuMet Beacon imaging was used to capture infrared and FPF scans of the ONH.
- FPF was measured in an elliptical annulus around the ONH rim.
Main Results:
- FPF was significantly higher in POAG eyes (46.4 ± 27.9) compared to control eyes (28.0 ± 11.7) (P < 0.001).
- In POAG eyes, FPF correlated significantly with visual field mean deviation (P < 0.001), visual field pattern standard deviation (P = 0.003), and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) (P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated FPF at the ONH rim suggests mitochondrial dysfunction in POAG.
- FPF levels reflect the severity of glaucomatous damage.
- FPF may serve as a valuable metabolic indicator for assessing glaucoma disease status and injury extent.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
950
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
950
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
744
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
744
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
881
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
881
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
6.7K
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
6.7K