Abstract

Background: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell death and alterations of visual field. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered the main risk factor of glaucoma, even though other factors cannot be ruled out, such as epigenetic mechanisms.

Objective: An overview of the ultimate promising experimental drugs to manage glaucoma has been provided.

Results: In particular, we have focused on purinergic ligands, KATP channel activators, gases (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide), non-glucocorticoid steroidal compounds, neurotrophic factors, PI3K/Akt activators, citicoline, histone deacetylase inhibitors, cannabinoids, dopamine and serotonin receptors ligands, small interference RNA, and Rho kinase inhibitors.

Conclusions: The review has been also endowed of a brief chapter on last reports about potential neuroprotective benefits of anti-glaucoma drugs already present in the market.

Keywords: Glaucoma, anti-glaucoma drugs, intraocular pressure, retinal ganglion cells, purinergic ligands, Rho kinase inhibitors, dopamine ligands, nitric oxide, histone deacetylase inhibitors.