About this Research Topic
Currently, photoreceptor degenerative diseases in their various forms (inherited, acquired, or induced) and glaucoma are the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. The majority of clinically detectable diseases result in blindness due to the neuronal degeneration of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelial cells or retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the case of retinal degenerative diseases affecting the outer or inner retina, respectively. These diseases, often heterogeneous and multifactorial, complicating the identification of effective treatments, which are currently non-existent. As a result, they pose a significant burden on the healthcare system and the economy, particularly as they frequently affect adults of working age and life expectancy is increasing. It is now widely acknowledged that over time, photoreceptor degenerations lead to retinal disorganization and complete retinal remodelling, ultimately resulting in the degeneration and death of RGCs, the retina’s afferent neurons. This further complicates the success of many proposed therapies for these diseases. In addition to retinal neuronal death, the role of retinal glia in these diseases’ progression, particularly in retinal remodelling and glial seal formation, is noteworthy.
This Research Topic is dedicated to studying retinal degenerative diseases to shed light the processes that occur in the retina during these diseases, such as neuronal degeneration, glial activation, and more, as well as their potential current and future treatments.
Keywords: retina, neurodegeneration, retinal ganglion cells
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