Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible
blindness. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is central to glaucoma pathology, often causing optic
nerve damage and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Rodent models, particularly in rats and mice,
have been widely used to study hypertension-induced glaucoma, offering valuable insights into disease
mechanisms and potential therapies.
Materials and Methods: Various rodent models of hypertension-induced glaucoma are created
through systemic administration of hypertensive drugs (e.g., angiotensin II, deoxycorticosterone
acetate), salt-loading, or surgical interventions such as episcleral vein ligation. IOP is typically
measured using tonometry, and retinal and optic nerve changes are assessed through histology,
electroretinography (ERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). PubMed was searched for
relevant studies using terms like "hypertension glaucoma rodent models," "IOP elevation in rodents,"
and "optic nerve damage in rodent models" to identify peer-reviewed articles published in the last two
decades. Studies were selected based on their relevance to hypertension-induced glaucoma and IOP
measurement techniques.
Results: Hypertensive rodent models exhibit key features of glaucoma, including elevated IOP, retinal
ganglion cell loss, and optic nerve damage. These models show increased oxidative stress,
inflammation, and ischemia, all contributing to glaucomatous damage. Histologically, they exhibit
retinal ganglion cell loss and thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Studies have demonstrated the
potential for neuroprotective treatments, such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, to reduce
retinal damage and IOP elevation in these models.
Conclusions: Rodent models of hypertension-induced glaucoma are invaluable for studying the
pathophysiological mechanisms of glaucoma and testing therapeutic approaches. These models
provide insights into neuroinflammation, ischemia, and oxidative stress in hypertensive glaucoma.
While they replicate many aspects of human disease, they do not fully mimic the chronicity of IOP
elevation seen in humans. Nonetheless, these models are crucial for advancing glaucoma research and
developing effective treatments for hypertension-related glaucoma.
