MODERN VIEW ON THE ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VASCULAR THEORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF GLAUCOMATOUS OPTIC NEUROPATHY

Objective. Based on the analysis of modern literature and our own research, to establish trends in the study of current anatomical and topographical features of the retina and optic nerve head, affecting the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma. Material and Methods. The analysis of home and foreign sources and the results of our own research on the problem of the development of primary open-angle glaucoma and the study of the contribution of neurovascular disorders to glaucomatous neurodegeneration was carried out. Results. Retinal ganglion cells are endowed with a high metabolism. The timely regulation of blood flow is essential to supply firing neurons in active areas with the oxygen and glucose they need for energy. Many patients with glaucoma suffer from vascular deficits including reduced blood flow, impaired autoregulation and neuro-vascular coupling dysfunction. Conclusions. A decrease in blood flow in the retrobulbar vessels and the vascular network of the posterior pole of the eyeball may indicate a failure of autoregulation of the blood supply to the eyeball. Therefore, the study of vascular mechanisms is of great importance from the point of view of prevention and prognosis of the disease, as well as the possibility of using them as a target for pharmacological correction.