Relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and glaucoma

Mitochondria play an important role in energy(ATP)production through oxidative phosphorylation pathway and the regulation of cell death by apoptosis.Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a number of neurodegenerative diseases.Glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disorder,the function of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous neurodegeneration has received close attention in recent years,such as oxidative stress,excitotoxic damage,calcium overload,neurotrophic factor deprivation,microglial activation,et al.In this article,we will review the current evidences and recent advances in the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and glaucoma. Key words: glaucoma/pathophysiology; mitochondrial dysfunction; optic neuropathy; oxidative stress; apoptosis