Drug discovery in glaucoma and the role of animal models

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by damage to inner layers of the retina and the optic nerve (ON). The slow degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons results in a progressive loss of vision. To date, a wide variety of animal models have been used to study glaucoma disease mechanisms and these include monkey, dog, and rodent models. However, there remains no ideal model for studying glaucoma disease and this is largely due to its complexity. Here, we review common animal models in use for glaucoma research and highlight discoveries which relate to potential new therapeutic avenues.