Beyond IOP: Neuroprotection and neuroregeneration as important therapeutic strategies for glaucoma.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing preclinical mechanisms and experimental strategies without systematic search methodology
PubMed 41496322 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118833
What was done
This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucoma (inflammation, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and compromised neurotrophic support) and summarizes investigated pharmacological approaches (glutamate modulators, antioxidants, mitochondrial protectants, anti-inflammatory drugs) and nonpharmacological strategies (stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, nanotechnology-based drug delivery).
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data, effect sizes, or statistical findings. It notes that while these interventions target mechanisms beyond intraocular pressure, most candidates remain in preclinical or early clinical phases and have not yet demonstrated therapeutic efficacy or long-term safety in randomized controlled trials.
Why it matters
Many patients with glaucoma experience disease progression despite normalized intraocular pressure. Identifying viable neuroprotective and neuroregenerative targets addresses the unmet need to directly preserve retinal ganglion cells.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative overview without systematic trial pooling, formal quality assessments, or specific sample counts. The reviewed strategies are largely exploratory and lack validation from definitive human randomized controlled trials.
Cited by
- supports Existing medical treatments cannot reverse optic nerve damage and vision loss caused by glaucoma.