Melatonin in the eye: Implications for glaucoma.

LUNDMARK PO; PANDI-PERUMAL S.R; SRINIVASAN V; CARDINALI D.P; ROSENSTEIN R.E

EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH

Elsevier

Año: 2007 p. 1021 - 1030

0014-4835

Melatonin synthesis occurs in the retina of most animals as well as in humans. Circadian oscillators that control retinal melatonin synthesis have been identified in the eyes of different animal species. The presence of melatonin receptors is demonstrable by immunocytochemical studies of ocular tissues. These receptors may have different functional roles in different parts of the eye. In view that melatonin is a potent antioxidant molecule, it is effective in scavenging free radicals that are generated in ocular tissues. By this mechanism melatonin can protect the ocular tissues against disorders like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, photo-keratitis and cataracts. Although an increased intraocular pressure is as important risk factor in glaucoma, other concomitant phenomena like increased glutamate level , altered nitric oxide metabolism and increased free radical generation play a significant role in its pathogenesis. Data are discussed indicating that melatonin, being an efficient anti-oxidant with antinitridergic properties, has a promising role in the treatment and management of glaucoma