Chapter 8 - Functional Glycosaminoglycans in the Eye

Abstract

This chapter focuses on macular corneal dystrophy, glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment/proliferative vitreoretinopathy, myopia, thyroid eye disease, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome in the eye. The eye is one of the most ideal organs for defining the functions of glycosaminoglycans, because the greater part of the globe is composed of glycosaminoglycans and the organ is easily assessed functionally and structurally. In fact, glycosaminoglycans have been shown to play key roles in ocular pathogenic conditions and treatments for eye diseases. Recently, clinical trials of intravitreous hyaluronidase injection for the management of vitreous hemorrhage were performed, and showed statistically significant efficacy of the therapy without any serious adverse events. It is believed that this is an epoch-making event in ophthalmic clinical records, and further studies on the functions of glycosaminoglycans will make it possible to develop new therapies for ocular diseases. An examination of the effects of chronic and acute loss of glycosaminoglycans caused by Streptomyces hyaluronidase and chondroitinase ABC from the aqueous outflow pathway on the intraocular pressure and outflow facility in monkey eyes revealed that the intraocular pressure and outflow facility remained unchanged following acute and chronic intracameral chondroitinase ABC and hyaluronidase treatment.