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Abstract #27163 Published in IGR 12-4
Mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell injury in aging and glaucoma
Chrysostomou V; Trounce IA; Crowston JGOphthalmic Research 2010; 44: 173-178
Aging is the greatest risk factor for glaucoma, implying that intrinsic age-related changes to retinal ganglion cells, their supporting tissue or both make retinal ganglion cells susceptible to injury. Changes to the ocular vasculature, connective tissue of the optic nerve head and mitochondria, which have been documented with advancing age and shown to be exacerbated in glaucoma, may predispose to glaucomatous injury. When considering such age-related changes, it is difficult to separate pathological change from physiological change, and cause from consequence. The insults that predispose aged retinal ganglion cells to injury are likely to be varied and multiple; therefore, it may be more relevant to identify and treat common mechanisms that predispose to retinal ganglion cell failure and/or death. We suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction, as either a cause or consequence of injury, renders retinal ganglion cells sensitive to degeneration. Therapeutic approaches that target mitochondria and promote energy production may provide a general means of protecting aged retinal ganglion cells from degeneration, regardless of the etiology. (copyright) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
J. G. Crowston. Glaucoma Research Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia. crowston@unimelb.edu.au
Classification:
9.2.2 Other risk factors for glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
