Modulation of Sc Function To Treat Glaucoma

Patent Status

Additional Patents Pending

Brief Description

Glaucoma is a leading blinding disease affecting at least 60 million people worldwide. A major risk factor for glaucoma is high intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve and cause permanent blindness without treatment.  UC researchers have found that Schlemm’s canal (SC) is a critical structure involved in aqueous humor drainage and IOP regulation and have found certain receptors that are expressed on SC.  The researchers are working to develop several molecules that can be targeted or modulated to regulate SC function to treat glaucoma.

Suggested uses

• treatment of glaucoma or to lower IOP 

Advantages

• provide new and alternative targets to treat glaucoma, as existing treatments are of limited efficacy with many side effects, and surgeries often fail with scar formation and fibrosis