Neuroprotection in glaucoma: recent advances and clinical translation.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction is currently the only evidence-based treatment strategy for glaucoma. However, IOP control in some individuals is challenging. Despite optimal treatment, a significant proportion of individuals will progress, with loss of visual field, loss of driving vision and impaired quality of life.

Retinal pigment epithelium in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration and photobiomodulation as a potential therapy?

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) comprises a monolayer of cells located between the neuroretina and the choriocapillaries. The RPE serves several important functions in the eye: formation of the blood-retinal barrier, protection of the retina from oxidative stress, nutrient delivery and waste disposal, ionic homeostasis, phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments, synthesis and release of growth factors, reisomerization of all-trans-retinal during the visual cycle, and establishment of ocular immune privilege. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries.

Glucose metabolism in mammalian photoreceptor inner and outer segments.

Photoreceptors are the first-order neurons of the visual pathway, converting light into electrical signals. Rods and cones are the two main types of photoreceptors in the mammalian retina. Rods are specialized for sensitivity at the expense of resolution and are responsible for vision in dimly lit conditions.

Quantum biology of the retina.

The emerging field of quantum biology has led to a greater understanding of biological processes at the microscopic level. There is recent evidence to suggest that non-trivial quantum features such as entanglement, tunnelling and coherence have evolved in living systems. These quantum features are particularly evident in supersensitive light-harvesting systems such as in photosynthesis and photoreceptors.

Immune priming and experimental glaucoma: the effect of prior systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge on tissue outcomes after optic nerve injury.

Background: Microglial activation is a prominent feature throughout the optic pathway in experimental glaucoma. Pro-inflammatory microglial activation may contribute to neurodegeneration through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide stimulates microglia to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemoattractants.

Estimation of axon counts in a rat model of glaucoma: comparison of fixed-pattern sampling with targeted sampling.

Background:   Full axon counting of optic nerve cross-sections represents the most accurate method to quantify axonal damage, but such analysis is very labour intensive. Recently, a new method has been developed, termed targeted sampling, which combines the salient features of a grading scheme with axon counting. Preliminary findings revealed the method compared favourably with random sampling.

Bioenergetic-based neuroprotection and glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a pressure-sensitive optic neuropathy which results in the death of retinal ganglion cells and causes associated loss of vision. Presently, the only accepted treatment strategy is to lower the intraocular pressure; however, for some patients this is insufficient to prevent progressive disease. Although the pathogenesis of POAG remains unclear, there is considerable evidence that energy failure at the optic nerve head may be involved.