Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness globally, and is characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Because vision loss in glaucoma is not reversible, therapeutic interventions early in disease are highly desirable. However, owing to the current limitations in evaluating glaucomatous neurodegeneration, it is challenging to monitor the disease severity and progression objectively, and to design rational therapeutic strategies accordingly. Therefore, there is a clear need to identify quantifiable molecular biomarkers of glaucomatous neurodegeneration. As such, in our opinion, molecular biomarker(s) that specifically reflect stress or death of RGCs, and which correlate with disease severity, progression, and response to therapy, are highly desirable.

青光眼是全球失明的主要原因之一，其特征是视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）丢失。由于青光眼的视力丧失是不可逆的，因此非常需要在疾病早期进行治疗。然而，由于目前在评估青光眼神经变性方面的局限性，客观地监测疾病的严重程度和进展并据此设计合理的治疗策略是具有挑战性的。因此，显然需要鉴定可量化的青光眼神经变性的分子生物标志物。因此，在我们看来，非常需要能够具体反映RGC的应激或死亡并与疾病的严重程度，进展和对治疗的反应相关的分子生物标记。