Role of Microglia in Glaucomatous Pathology

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells. Much research has gone into further understanding the pathology of this disease, including the extent to which microglia modulate its pathogenesis. This has revealed a role of the innate immune system in glaucomatous pathology that begins before the onset of retinal ganglion cell dysfunction and degeneration. Stimulation of the innate immune response triggers downstream cascades implicated in chronic disease, making immune pathways invaluable in our understanding of glaucomatous pathology. This review will focus on evidence that supports the role of the microglial immunologic response in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.