Coenzyme Q and its role in glaucoma

Presently the management of glaucoma is limited to lowering of intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Since this modality does not appear to be successful in all cases there is increasing focus on non-IOP lowering medications. Coenzyme Q is a naturally occurring compound similar to vitamins. There are a few reports suggesting the neuroprotective efficacy of this agent in glaucoma models. The present systematic review was undertaken to study the pharmacology, physiology, metabolism and role of Coenzyme Q in glaucoma. An English-language search for relevant items was undertaken using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and other databases. The present review found a positive outcome of Coenzyme Q as a neuroprotectant being reported in all studies. However, the review also found that the majority of studies on Coenzyme Q have been reported by a single group of researchers. In order to have a more wide-ranging impact regarding the efficacy of Coenzyme Q in glaucoma, it would be useful to undertake further multi- center trials.