Abstract
Glaucoma, a pathological condition that results in the impairment of the optic nerve, leads to irreversible vision loss and affects approximately 76 million individuals worldwide. The sole modifiable factor in the treatment of glaucoma is the decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP), which specifically focuses on the front part of the eye and does not directly tackle the pathological changes in the optic nerve (ON) that result in its structural and functional damage. The first goal of this dissertation was to examine alternative therapeutic methods to effectively lower IOP and provide neuroprotective benefits. The secondary objective of this study was to test small molecules as an alternative approach to genetic manipulation of the mTOR pathway in order to promote ON axonal regeneration. The lipids and small molecules that were chosen were particularly suitable for the treatment of glaucoma because they are biodegradable, reversible, and capable of reaching the posterior segment of the eye. The overall finding of rivenprost for IOP control and neuroprotection in conjunction with GM1 and VO-Ohpic neuroregenerative small molecules represents a major advancement towards the development of a comprehensive treatment for glaucoma.