Glaucoma animal models

Animal models for glaucoma have been used to study the pathophysiological basis of glaucoma. Animal based experiments are more representative than cell culture models particularly in the study of aqueous humor dynamics, the trabecular meshw ork-ciliary muscle complex, retinal ganglion cells, ONH axons, ONH framew ork and vascular flow dynamics in glaucoma subtypes (Weinreb and Lindsey, 2005). 

Animal experiments have provided excellent means to study medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma prior to human trials. Animal models are required to study de novo drugs and their structural and functional influence on ocular tissues. 

Table 30.3. Advantages and Hmitadons of several animal models of glaucoma.

Describe the role of animal models in our understanding of glaucoma. 

Tafluprost significantly increases retinal blood flow and blood velocity in animal models. The improvement of ocular blood flow is thought to be relevant in glaucoma therapy, especially for normal-tension glaucoma patients since it is assumed that optic nerve damage is involved not only in mechanical compression caused by IOPbut also in impairment of ocular blood flow. 

Excitotoxicity has been imphcated in a number of retinal disorders, especially the ones in which ischemia plays a key role. These conditions include glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The role of excitotoxicity in glaucoma has been controversial, but in animal models excitotoxicity has been shown to cause ganghon cell damage. 

Levin LA. Extrapolation of animal models of optic nerve injury to clinical trial design. J Glaucoma 2004 13 1-5. 

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