title: Translational Pharmacology in Glaucoma Neuroprotection.
abstract: Glaucoma is both the most common optic neuropathy worldwide and the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world. The only proven treatment for glaucomatous optic neuropathy is lowering the intraocular pressure, achieved with a variety of pharmacological, laser, and surgical approaches. Over the past 2 decades there has been much basic and clinical research into achieving treatment of the underlying optic nerve damage with neuroprotective approaches. However, none has resulted in regulatory approval based on successful phase 3 studies. This chapter discusses the reasons for this "lost in translation" aspect of glaucoma neuroprotection, and outlines issues at the laboratory and clinical trial level that need to be addressed for successful development of neuroprotective therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.|Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.|McGill Academic Eye Centre, 5252 de Maisonneuve West, Suite 400, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3S5.|Department of Ophthalmology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D000066829:Neuroprotection; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents
keywords: Glaucoma; Optic neuropathy; Retinal ganglion cells; Translational research