CHARACTERIZATION OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL ALTERATIONS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF GLAUCOMA IN RATS.

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and has increased intraocular pressure (IOP) as its main risk factor. It is well established that even non-sustained IOP peaks can compress the optic nerve, impair retina’s blood flow, and potentially lead to glaucoma or exacerbate existing glaucomatous degeneration. Recently, our research group developed a subacute model of ocular hypertension (OHT) in rats based on 360° cauterization of the limbic vascular plexus, a structure related to the maintenance of IOP at homeostatic values. This model mimics the RGC degeneration found in glaucoma patients due to transient IOP elevation. However, recent evidence has revealed a stagnation of glaucomatous damage in this model after one month from the initial injury.