Autophagy in glaucoma: Crosstalk with apoptosis and its implications

• Evidence shows that autophagy is involved in the pathological process of glaucoma.
• The crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis in glaucoma is not fully understood.
• Evidence shows that autophagy can inhibit or enhance apoptosis in glaucomatous RGCs.
• The modulation of autophagy may be a therapeutic option for glaucoma in the future.

Glaucoma is characterized by elevated intraocular pressure that causes progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Autophagy is a lysosomal degradative process that updates the cellular components and plays an important role in cellular homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that autophagy is involved in the pathophysiological process of glaucoma. The role played by autophagy in glaucoma is complex, and conflicting evidence shows that autophagy promotes both RGC survival and death. The understanding of the major pattern of RGC loss and the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis remains limited in glaucoma. This review focuses on the relationship between autophagy and glaucoma, particularly on the influence of autophagy on apoptosis in glaucoma. Further research on autophagy in glaucoma may provide a novel understanding of the glaucoma pathology and novel treatment targets for glaucoma in the future.