Advancing age and mitochondrial dysfunction impair optic nerve recovery after IOP challenge

Abstract Glaucoma prevalence and incidence rise non‐linearly with advancing age. The reasons for this may be multifactorial but this talk will demonstrate how advancing age and mitochondrial dysfunction in mice render the inner retina increasingly vulnerable to injury induced by short‐term IOP elevation. We will then provide data from a cohort of open angle glaucoma patients demonstrating an impairment in complex‐I‐driven respiration and ATP synthesis, compared to age‐matched controls. Put together these observations suggest that ageing and mitochondrial impairment render retinal ganglion cells vulnerable to IOP injury and this may predispose some individuals to open angle glaucoma.