New Target Identified for Treating Glaucoma

Newswise — Denver, Colo. – Researchers have identified a new target for stopping the progressive death of cells in the eye that leads to vision loss in glaucoma. The research is being presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Denver, Colo.

In a mouse model, scientists showed that when cells in the retina – called retinal ganglion cells – die in glaucoma, they release toxins that move through pathways called gap junctions to neighboring cells. The distribution of these toxins results in a progressive wave of cells dying. They found that blocking or eliminating the gap junctions between cells resulted in 70% to 805 less cell death.

Retinal ganglion cells, which pass visual signals from the eye to the brain, are the most vulnerable cells to glaucoma. New treatments aimed at the gap junctions could help prevent the loss of these cells and preserve vision.

Abstract Title: Blockade of Retinal Gap Junctions Offers Significant Neuroprotection in an Experimental Mouse Model of GlaucomaPresentation Start/End Time: Tuesday, May 5, 8:30 – 8:45am Location: 2C/3C Mile High BlrmAbstract Number: 2589

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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include nearly 12,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.

All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions. This research may be proprietary or may have been submitted for journal publication. Embargo policy: Journalists must seek approval from the presenter(s) before reporting data from paper or poster presentations. Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation.