Glaucoma, apoptose e sildenafil: compreensão de uma doença sem solução e uma possível abordagem de tratamento: Compreensão de uma doença sem solução e uma possível abordagem de tratamento

As millions of glaucoma patients lose sight, it has become accepted that there is a need todevelop neuroprotective therapies that can be used, in conjunction with hypotensive drugs, toprevent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Recent advances in the understanding of thepathophysiology of glaucoma is a key factor in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous neuropathy.Based on findings in similar diseases, hypothesize that improving retinal and optic nerveblood flow can result in significant RGC protection and prevent vision loss in glaucoma.Sildenafil, a vasodilative drug that inhibits PDE5, thereby increasing cGMP levels andprolonging NO effects, has been shown to improve survival in several injury. This shortreview briefly summarizes some of the most important advances that have taken in theunderstand about this disease and a possible treatment.