Inflammation and retinal degenerative diseases

Vision is an ability that depends on the precise structure and functioning of the retina. Any kind of stress or injury can disrupt the retinal architecture and leads to vision impairment, vision loss, and blindness. Immune system and immune response function maintain homeostasis in the microenvironment. Several genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors may alter retinal homeostasis, and these events may initiate various inflammatory cascades. The prolonged inflammatory state may contribute to the initiation and development of retinal disorders such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa, which pose a threat to vision. In the current review, we attempted to provide sufficient evidence on the role of inflammation in these retinal disorders. Moreover, this review paves the way to focus on therapeutic targets of the disease, which are found to be promising.

Automated summary

Vision depends on the precise structure and functioning of the retina, and any stress or injury can disrupt it, leading to vision impairment, loss, and blindness. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of retinal disorders, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. This review provides evidence on the role of inflammation in these disorders and suggests potential therapeutic targets.