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Review
. 2009 Jul-Aug;57(4):257-66.
doi: 10.4103/0301-4738.53049.

Current concepts in the pathophysiology of glaucoma

Renu Agarwal  1 , Suresh K Gupta, Puneet Agarwal, Rohit Saxena, Shyam S Agrawal
Affiliations
Review

Current concepts in the pathophysiology of glaucoma

Renu Agarwal et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness, is characterized by changes in the optic disc and visual field defects. The elevated intraocular pressure was considered the prime factor responsible for the glaucomatous optic neuropathy involving death of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. Extensive investigations into the pathophysiology of glaucoma now reveal the role of multiple factors in the development of retinal ganglion cell death. A better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy is crucial in the development of better therapeutic options. This review is an effort to summarize the current concepts in the pathophysiology of glaucoma so that newer therapeutic targets can be recognized. The literature available in the National Medical Library and online Pubmed search engine was used for literature review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanisms involved in glaucomatous RGC apoptosis secondary to elevated IOP. TNF-A - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, MMP - Matrix metalloproteinase, NOS-2 - Nitric oxide synthase-2
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mechanisms involved in glaucomatous RGC apoptosis secondary to vascular dysregulation. TNF-A - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, MMP - Matrix metalloproteinase, NOS-2 - Nitric oxide synthase-2
Figure 3
Figure 3
Glutamate excitotoxicity leading to RGC apoptosis
Figure 4
Figure 4
The complex interplay of primary and secondary factors leading to RGC apoptosis in glaucoma. TNF-A - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, ECM - Extracellular matrix, NOS-2 - Nitric oxide synthase-2
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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