Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain

Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is characterized by optic disc cupping and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration. Recent research highlights the broader impacts of glaucoma on the brain. Transsynaptic neural degeneration extends the RGC damage through the visual pathway and v...

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Main Authors: Trinita Jude Hamilton, Bettina E. Kalisch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1588561/full
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author Trinita Jude Hamilton
Bettina E. Kalisch
author_facet Trinita Jude Hamilton
Bettina E. Kalisch
author_sort Trinita Jude Hamilton
collection DOAJ
description Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is characterized by optic disc cupping and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration. Recent research highlights the broader impacts of glaucoma on the brain. Transsynaptic neural degeneration extends the RGC damage through the visual pathway and various other regions in the brain, leading to structural and functional changes. These neurodegenerative effects may result in cognitive impairment, affecting patients’ daily activities and quality of life. Understanding the connection between glaucoma, the brain, and cognition is essential for intervention and developing comprehensive treatment strategies that address visual and neurological impairments, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This review examines the existing literature on the links between glaucoma pathology and the brain and explores the impacts on cognition and quality of life.
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series Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
spelling doaj-art-cebb63c31b25401e8e7a3e51476a05e22025-08-20T03:56:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-07-011310.3389/fcell.2025.15885611588561Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brainTrinita Jude HamiltonBettina E. KalischGlaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is characterized by optic disc cupping and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration. Recent research highlights the broader impacts of glaucoma on the brain. Transsynaptic neural degeneration extends the RGC damage through the visual pathway and various other regions in the brain, leading to structural and functional changes. These neurodegenerative effects may result in cognitive impairment, affecting patients’ daily activities and quality of life. Understanding the connection between glaucoma, the brain, and cognition is essential for intervention and developing comprehensive treatment strategies that address visual and neurological impairments, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This review examines the existing literature on the links between glaucoma pathology and the brain and explores the impacts on cognition and quality of life.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1588561/fullglaucomaneural degenerationcognitive impairmentoptic discretinal ganglion cell
spellingShingle Trinita Jude Hamilton
Bettina E. Kalisch
Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
glaucoma
neural degeneration
cognitive impairment
optic disc
retinal ganglion cell
title Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain
title_full Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain
title_fullStr Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain
title_full_unstemmed Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain
title_short Beyond vision loss: the impact of glaucoma on the brain
title_sort beyond vision loss the impact of glaucoma on the brain
topic glaucoma
neural degeneration
cognitive impairment
optic disc
retinal ganglion cell
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1588561/full
work_keys_str_mv AT trinitajudehamilton beyondvisionlosstheimpactofglaucomaonthebrain
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