Microbead-Induced Ocular Hypertension in a Rodent Model of Glaucoma

Abstract

Glaucoma is an irreversible blinding disease characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells. Development of therapeutics relies on suitable models and, given its complex nature, these are typically in vivo models. A widely used model, owing to its relative simplicity, is the microbead model. This model involves the injections of beads into the anterior chamber, which are suitably sized to block the aqueous outflow pathway, leading to an elevation in intraocular pressure and ultimately, retinal ganglion cell death. In this chapter, we describe in detail the materials and methods for modelling glaucoma using microbeads (both magnetic and nonmagnetic).

Keywords: Glaucoma; Microbead; Neuroprotection; Ocular hypertension; Retinal ganglion cells; Rodent model.