Optic nerve protection, regeneration, and repair in the 21st century: LVIII Edward Jackson Memorial lecture.
OBJECTIVE
To present the current status and clinical implications of optic nerve protection, repair, and regeneration after experimental injury in mammals, including nonhuman primates.


METHODS
Optic nerve and neuro-ophthalmology experimental study review.


METHODS
Synthesis of experimental data regarding experimental studies of optic nerve protection, repair, and regeneration.


RESULTS
Under certain conditions, mammalian retinal ganglion cells can be prevented from dying despite injury to the cell bodies or their axons, injured mammalian retinal ganglion cells whose axons have degenerated can be induced to extend new axons, and regenerating axons can reach their correct targets in the central nervous system. In addition, stem cells can be induced to become retinal ganglion cells.


CONCLUSIONS
It may soon be possible to preserve and restore vision in persons whose sight is threatened or has been lost from disease or damage to the optic nerve.
Miller
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NR
Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. nrmiller@jhmi.edu
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents