Current trends in targeting the oxidative stress in glaucoma (Review)

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, characterized by optic nerve damage and vision loss.
• Oxidative stress is a key pathogenic factor in glaucoma, contributing to trabecular meshwork degeneration and intraocular pressure elevation.
• Age-related oxidative stress exacerbates glaucomatous neurodegeneration and disrupts tissue homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of oxidative stress in glaucoma pathogenesis.
• To explore oxidative stress as a potential therapeutic target for glaucoma prevention and treatment.
• To discuss the implications of reactive oxygen species in glaucoma management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on oxidative stress and glaucoma.
• Analysis of inflammatory markers in trabecular meshwork from glaucoma donors.
• Discussion of antioxidant and pro-oxidant balance in aqueous humor.

Main Results:

• Oxidative stress triggers trabecular meshwork degeneration and contributes to intraocular hypertension.
• Proinflammatory markers are present in the trabecular meshwork of glaucoma patients, induced by stress responses.
• Alterations in antioxidant composition in aqueous humor impact trabecular meshwork and optic nerve head cells.

Conclusions:

• Reactive oxygen species play a critical pathogenic role in glaucoma.
• Modulating the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance is a promising strategy for glaucoma prevention and therapy.
• Targeting oxidative stress offers a novel therapeutic avenue for managing glaucoma.