Research progress of autophagy in retinal and eye diseases

Abstract

Maintaining the homeostasis of intracellular components degradation and recycling, autophagy is a critical control mechanism of cellular quality. It promotes the degradation of cell components to provide nutrients and energy for cellular metabolism in stress response. The retina is a light-sensitive tissue that transduces and processes visual images in the eye, and it has a high demand for substances and energy. Basal autophagy is essential for holding retinal homeostasis and the normal function of the visual system. Therefore, the latest studies that investigating the participation of autophagy in eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal dystrophies, and retinal detachment were summarized, providing a theoretical basis for the future treatment of eye diseases by regulating autophagy.

Keywords

• autophagy
• retina
• retinal ganglion cells
• photoreceptor