Potential Therapeutic Usage of Nanomedicine for Glaucoma Treatment

Song Kwon,1,* Sung Hyun Kim,2,* Dongwoo Khang,1,3,4 Jong Yeon Lee2 1Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, South Korea; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University, College of Medicine, Incheon 21565, South Korea; 3Department of Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (GAIHST), Gachon University, Incheon 21999, South Korea; 4Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, South Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jong Yeon LeeDepartment of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21565, South KoreaEmail jongyeonlee@gilhospital.comDongwoo KhangDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, South KoreaTel/ Fax +82 32 899 1525Email dkhang@gachon.ac.krAbstract: Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, leading to irreversible blindness. Currently, intraocular pressure reduction is the only established treatment available for glaucoma. With this treatment, the progression of the disease can only be delayed and there is no recovery. In addition, the commercially available eye drops have the disadvantage of low compliance and short therapeutic time, while glaucoma surgery always has the risk of failure due to wound fibrosis. Nanotechnology can overcome the limitations of the current treatment through the encapsulation and conjugation of drugs used for lowering intraocular pressure and antifibrotic agents using biodegradable or biocompatible nanoparticles for the sustained release of the drugs to protect the damaged ocular cells. Furthermore, using nanotechnology, treatment can be administered in various forms, including eye drops, contact lens, and ocular inserts, according to the convenience of the patients. Despite the promising results of delaying the progression of glaucoma, the regeneration of damaged ocular cells, including trabecular meshwork and retinal ganglion cells, is another critical hurdle to overcome. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and Müller glia cells can secrete neurogenic factors that trigger the regeneration of associated cells, including trabecular meshwork and retinal ganglion cells. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential therapeutic applications of nanotechnology- and stem cell-based methods that can be employed for the protection and regeneration of ocular cells.Keywords: glaucoma, ocular regeneration, protection, stem cell, nanotechnology