[Biomechanical stress in glaucoma--cause and effect].

Unlabelled: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease with multifactor causes which is characterized by acute loss of ganglion cells. Many mechanisms are involved in this disease but they are incomplete elucidated. Biomechanical stress generate changes to lamina cribrosa which determine ganglion cells death.

[Neuroprotection with carotenoids in glaucoma].

Purpose: The aim of the paper was to assess the place of the natural carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin) in glaucoma optic neuropathy.

Methods: For this purpose, we carried out an experimental and prospective study, during 3 months, on 8 laboratory animals (Guinea pigs), which we increased the IOP, in both eyes, by cautery of two episcleral vessels. The animals were divided into treatment in two groups: the group I (5 Guinea pigs) which we modified their usual diets by adding 2 cps/day of IcapsL (6 mg lutein/zeaxanthin) and the group II (3 Guinea pigs)--control group, without increasing the diet with lutein and zeaxanthin.