Novel Therapeutics in Glaucoma Management

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell death and altera-tions of visual field. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered the main risk factor of glaucoma, even though other factors cannot be ruled out, such as epigenetic mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: An overview of the ultimate promising experimental drugs to manage glaucoma has been provided. RESULTS: In particular, we have focused on purinergic ligands, KATP channel activators, gases (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide), non-glucocorticoid steroidal compounds, neurotrophic factors, PI3K/Akt activators, citicoline, histone deacetylase inhibitors, cannabinoids, dopamine and serotonin receptors ligands, small interference RNA, and Rho kinase in-hibitors. CONCLUSIONS: The review has been also endowed of a brief chapter on last reports about potential neuroprotective benefits of anti-glaucoma drugs already present in the market.