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Pharmacology and gene therapy prevent retinal ganglion cell death
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BARCELONA, Spain — Pharmacology and gene therapy are gaining momentum as feasible approaches to preventing ganglion cell death in glaucoma, said Harry A. Quigley, MD.
Some ganglion cells die “as innocent bystanders in the death of their neighbors,” Dr. Quigley said here during the International Glaucoma Symposium. When the mechanism of secondary degeneration is better understood, ganglion cell death may be prevented, he said. To date, however, no marketed glaucoma medications have been shown to have neuroprotective benefits, he added.
Ganglion cell death follows a logical progression of events, and ophthalmologists have opportunities at each step to intervene and halt the process, Dr. Quigley said. Ganglion cell death begins at the nerve head, is followed by axon abnormality, then apoptosis and eventual cell death.