Discovery of Molecular Therapeutics for Glaucoma: Challenges, Successes, and Promising Directions.

ABSTRACT: Glaucoma, a heterogeneous ocular disorder affecting ∼60 million people worldwide, is characterized by painless neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), resulting in irreversible vision loss. Available therapies, which decrease the common causal risk factor of elevated intraocular pressure, delay, but cannot prevent, RGC death and blindness. Notably, it is changes in the anterior segment of the eye, particularly in the drainage of aqueous humor fluid, which are believed to bring about changes in pressure. Thus, it is primarily this region whose properties are manipulated in current and emerging therapies for glaucoma. Here, we focus on the challenges associated with developing treatments, review the available experimental methods to evaluate the therapeutic potential of new drugs

SUBMITTER: Donegan RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5547565 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature