Pressure in both the eye and brain has been found to be physiologically connected, according to a recent study led by neuroscientists at the University of South Florida. The researchers altered brain pressure in animal models and studied changes in the fluid drainage properties of the eye that could be blocked by chemicals that eliminate feedback signals from the brain. Interestingly, the eye’s ability to clear fluid changed in a manner that restored a healthy pressure difference across the optic nerve.
These findings may benefit efforts to treat glaucoma, which is associated with increased pressure in the eye due to a reduced ability of the eye to maintain proper fluid drainage. Pressure applies mechanical strain to the optic nerve as the nerve exits the eye, resulting in vision loss and potential blindness.
“The results indicate that aqueous humour dynamics is modulated by [intraocular pressure]‐driven neural feedback from the brain,” reported the published study in the Journal of Physiology. “This feedback mechanism may act to stabilize translaminar pressure across the optic nerve head and may provide a new avenue for glaucoma therapy.”
“The drainage control system may service to protect the optic nerve from swings in eye or brain pressure,” said Chris Passaglia, PhD, professor in the USF Department of Medical Engineering. “Its discovery offers a new target for glaucoma treatment, wherein the modulatory mechanisms of the system might be exploited to help lower eye pressure and impede disease progression in glaucoma patients.”
Researchers are now trying to pinpoint the brain region responsible for the signaling to the eye, as well the eye nerve fibers that receive the signals.
Full news release: https://www.usf.edu/news/2020/neuroscientists-discover-brain-pressure-controls-eye-pressure.aspx
Source: University of South Florida