Research Prospects for the Mitochondria in Glaucoma: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Molecular Biology
• Mitochondrial Biology and Disease
• Bibliometric and Scientometric Studies

Background:

• Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in glaucoma development.
• Key pathways involved include oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis.
• Systematic analysis of research trends and collaborations in this area is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma.
• To identify key themes, collaboration patterns, and emerging trends.
• To provide insights for future therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 397 publications from 1999-2024 retrieved from the Web of Science database.
• Visualization of data using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.
• Assessment of journal impact factors and researcher contributions.

Main Results:

• A steady annual increase in publications and citations was observed.
• The United States was the most productive nation, and Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science the leading journal.
• Key terms included glaucoma, mitochondria, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
• Mitochondrial inhibitors showed therapeutic potential for ophthalmic disorders.
• Oxidative stress, autophagy dysregulation, and apoptosis were identified as critical pathological mediators.

Conclusions:

• Research on mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma is steadily growing, with significant contributions from the United States.
• Emerging insights are driving the development of targeted and personalized glaucoma therapies.
• This study systematically maps the research landscape, guiding future directions in mitochondria-targeted therapies for glaucoma and other ophthalmic disorders.