Insights into the Immune System and Glaucoma
Journal Title: The Ophthalmology – Open Journal - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which can lead to irreversible blindness. Numerous factors have been implicated in the disease, with high intraocular pressure (IOP), coupled with advanced age, being major risk factors. Other factors include ischemia, generation of reactive oxygen species, a genetic pre-disposition and neurotrophin deprivation in the retina or optic nerve (Figure 1).1 The pathogenesis of glaucoma is challenging to understand since it is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease.2,3 It is even more confounding what causes normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Despite a normal IOP, patients still suffer optic nerve degeneration. The immune system is a probable player in both high tension glaucoma (HTG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Findings from numerous studies support the notion that both the innate and adaptive immune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.1,3-18 Yet, the precise mechanisms of immune responses and the specific cell interactions contributing to the disease process are still not fully understood. Many questions remain about the role of the immune system in glaucoma.
Authors and Affiliations
Jennifer L. Kielczewski
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP558009
- DOI 10.17140/OOJ-2-112
- Views 170
- Downloads 0
Posterior Sub-Tenon Triamcinolone Injection for Chronic Macular Oedema Associated With Non-Ischemic Branch or Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Posterior Sub-Tenon (PST) Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) injection for persistent macular oedema associated with non-ischemic Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) or Branc...
Insights into the Immune System and Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which can lead to irreversible blindness. Numerous factors have been implicated in the diseas...
Does OCT Angiography of Macula Play a Role in Glaucoma Diagnostics?
Purpose: To assess vascularity of the macular area in patients with glaucoma using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and evaluate the role of its examination in early glaucoma diagnosis. Materials and Meth...
Baseline Visual Acuity of Women with Diabetic Macular Edema is Worse than Men: A Case-Control Study
Purpose: To compare the baseline visual and anatomical parameters between the woman and men with diabetic macular edema (DME) who underwent intravitreal ranibizumab treatment. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospect...
Microperimetry in Optic Neuritis
Aim: To evaluate microperimetry as a tool for visual field assessment in optic neuritis and compare it with standard automated perimetry. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary eye care centre in India...