Ofri Ron, Narfström Kristina
Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 76100 Rehovot, Israel.
Vet J. 2007 Jul;174(1):10-22. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.08.014. Epub 2007 Feb 20.
Glaucoma and inherited retinal degeneration/dystrophy are leading causes of blindness in veterinary patients. Currently, there is no treatment for the loss of vision that characterizes both groups of diseases. However, this reality may soon change as recent advances in understanding of the disease processes allow researchers to develop new therapies aimed at preventing blindness and restoring vision to blind patients. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma patients has led to the development of neuroprotective drugs which protect retinal cells and their function from the disastrous effects of elevated pressure. Identification of the genetic mutation responsible for inherited degenerations and dystrophies of the outer retina has enabled researchers using gene therapy to restore vision to blind dogs. Other patients may benefit from retinal transplantation, stem cell therapy, neuroprotective drugs, nutritional supplementation and even retinal prostheses. It is possible that soon it will be possible to restore sight to some blind patients.
青光眼和遗传性视网膜变性/营养不良是兽医患者失明的主要原因。目前，对于这两类疾病所特有的视力丧失尚无治疗方法。然而，随着对疾病进程理解的最新进展使研究人员能够开发旨在预防失明并恢复盲人视力的新疗法，这一现实可能很快就会改变。阐明青光眼患者视网膜神经节细胞死亡的分子机制已促使神经保护药物的研发，这些药物可保护视网膜细胞及其功能免受眼压升高的灾难性影响。对导致视网膜外层遗传性变性和营养不良的基因突变的鉴定，使研究人员能够利用基因疗法恢复盲犬的视力。其他患者可能受益于视网膜移植、干细胞疗法、神经保护药物、营养补充剂甚至视网膜假体。不久之后，恢复一些盲人患者的视力或许将成为可能。
