DONATE NOWBascom Palmer Eye Institute
University of Miami
Glaucoma causes blindness by killing specific nerve cells called Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs). The cells often lose function gradually before they die.The goal of this research is to ultimately lead to new Glaucoma treatment regimens that are based on directly preventing or slowing down the loss of functionality to these sight critical nerve cells, rather than reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) as is the normal goal of current treatment procedures. This study tested whether preconditioning RGCs in the early stages of glaucoma could extend their functional lifespan in mice. Researchers used a minimally invasive treatment with retrobulbar lidocaine, a common anesthetic for eye surgery.
Researchers conducted the study using mice that often develop age-related IOP elevation and glaucoma. (Scientists often use mice in glaucoma research because their eyes structure and function closely resemble human eyes.)
At four months of age, before glaucoma appeared, researchers injected lidocaine into one eye of each mouse. As the mice aged, they compared the effectiveness of this preconditioning to a control group. When glaucoma developed, they assessed how well lidocaine preconditioning protected the treated eyes. The treatment improved RGC survival by 35%. Interestingly, lidocaine did not change the age-related rise in IOP.
The team published these results in J Mol Sci in 2018. The study provides proof that preconditioning the eye with a minimally invasive treatment can achieve neuroprotection in glaucoma.
Dr. Vittorio Porciatti Dsc, FARVO
Anesthetic Preconditioning as Endogenous Neuroprotection in Glaucoma
James L. Knight Professor
Vice Chair, Director of Research
Bascom Palmer Eye institute
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Phone: 305-326-6050
Email: vporciatti@med.miami.edu