Role of oxidative stress in glaucoma

Purpose Glaucoma is the second major cause of permanent blindness worldwide. It is a group of chronic progressive neuropathies of the optic nerve with a loss of visual field resulting from the death of retinal ganglion cells. There are a lot of risk factors known like genetic susceptibility factors, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), increased age, myopia and vascular diseases but the real pathophysiology is still unknown. Methods In the past several experimentel and clinical studies showed that oxidative stress is involved in this complex process. Results First of all, mitochondria seems to be genetically vulnerable in glaucoma patients as well as damaged by elevated IOP. In the anterior segment trabecular meshwork cells show oxidative DNA damage as well as increased aging and lipid peroxidation. In addition aqueous humor has an reduced antioxidative status. In the posterior segment retina and the optic nerve are involved by an reduced antioxidative status, increased lipid peroxidation and increased apoptosis. Conclusion In summary, oxidative stress is one of the major players in the glaucoma disease and should be taken into the therapeutic management .