Why glaucoma risk may be missed by day: Nighttime eye-pressure pathway revealed
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. One major risk factor is an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye. This pressure fluctuates throughout the day and is known to rise at night. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms behind this increase have not been fully understood.
A new study from Kyushu University has revealed a previously unknown molecular pathway that explains why intraocular pressure (IOP) increases at night, potentially leading to undetected glaucoma risk. Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve, and the primary risk factor is an increase in IOP.
The study found that the neurotransmitter norepinephrine increases the levels of a molecule called RHOB in the eye's drainage system, the trabecular meshwork, which weakens the eye's cleaning function and results in increased IOP. The researchers expect these findings will lead to new approaches for early detection of glaucoma and treatments to control IOP by targeting RHOB.
The findings are significant because IOP is typically lower during the day, and regular checkups may miss warning signs of glaucoma onset. Additionally, disruptions to a person's circadian clock can increase the risk of glaucoma, particularly in older adults with desynchronized body clocks.
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