Glaucoma
To combat glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed countries1 and a real public health issue, Densmore laboratory is participating in the study of new therapeutic pathways to preserve patients’ visual health.
Glaucoma overview
Primary open-angle glaucoma is a degenerative optic neuropathy characterised by the progressive destruction of retinal ganglion cells2. The patient’s perception of the disease is not spontaneous and frequently occurs at a late stage1. Without treatment, it can lead to an irreparable decrease in the visual field until there is a total loss of vision1. This is why regular eye check-ups by an ophthalmologist are important, even in the absence of an obvious problem1.
Causes and risk factors
Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease associated with ocular hypertension. Heredity, age, very high myopia, hypertension, diabetes, prolonged corticosteroid use or some vascular phenomena also increase the risk of glaucoma1.
Therapeutic progress and advancement in care
The therapeutic arsenal to combat the rise of intraocular pressure (IOP) has expanded1. Nevertheless, more than 50% of patients have a visual field that continues to deteriorate despite controlled IOP2. Implementing a neuroprotective strategy represents a promising path, in addition to lowering IOP. Neuroprotective agents are intended to prevent the death of retinal ganglion cells and to protect the optic nerve2.
Densmore laboratory studies various neuroprotective agents. They promote repair of the integrity of damaged cell membranes in degenerative ophthalmic pathologies such as glaucoma.
References:
1. INSERM, Glaucoma, Better screening to combat a major cause of blindness, https://www.inserm.fr/information-en-sante/dossiers-information/glaucome
2. Renard JP, Sellem E, SFO Report: Primary, open-angle glaucoma. – Elsevier-Masson, 2014.