Erythropoietin (EPO) is known as a hormone for erythropoiesis in response to anemia and hypoxia. However, the effect of EPO is not only limited to hematopoietic tissue. Several studies have highlighted the neuroprotective function of EPO in extra-hematopoietic tissues, especially the retina. EPO could interact with its heterodimer receptor (EPOR/βcR) to exert its anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects in preventing retinal ganglion cells death through different intracellular signaling pathways. In this review, we summarized the available pre-clinical studies of EPO in treating glaucomatous optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and traumatic optic neuropathy. In addition, we explore the future strategies of EPO for optic nerve protection and repair, including advances in EPO derivates, and EPO deliveries. These strategies will lead to a new chapter in the treatment of optic neuropathy.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a circulating hormone conventionally considered to be responsible for erythropoiesis. In addition to facilitating red blood cell production, EPO has pluripotent potential, such as for cognition improvement, neurogenesis, and anti-fibrotic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. In human retinal tissues, EPO receptors (EPORs) are expressed in the photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium, and retinal ganglion cell layer. Studies have suggested its potential therapeutic effects in many neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma. In this review, we discuss the correlation between glaucoma and EPO, physiology and potential neuroprotective function of the EPO/EPOR system, and latest evidence for the treatment of glaucoma with EPO.

Glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The disease mechanism is complex and various factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis, including ischemia, excessive oxidative stress, neurotropic factor deprivation, and neuron excitotoxicity. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that induces erythropoiesis in response to hypoxia. However, studies have shown that EPO also has neuroprotective effects and may be useful for rescuing apoptotic retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma. This article explores the relationship between EPO and glaucoma and summarizes preclinical experiments that have used EPO to treat glaucoma, with an aim to provide a different perspective from the current view that glaucoma is incurable.

Many studies have demonstrated an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Nevertheless, the influence of an endophthalmitis episode toward the future risks of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in AS patients has been unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of endophthalmitis on AMI risk in this particular patient population by a population-based retrospective cohort study with a follow-up period up to 16 years. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used for the risk evaluation and the results were presented as crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). Overall, we enrolled 557 AS patients with endophthalmitis as the study cohort and selected another 2228 matched AS patients without endophthalmitis as the comparison cohort. Comparing the comparison cohort, the study cohort showed a significantly higher overall AMI incidence rate with an adjusted HR of 1.631 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, endophthalmitis increased the risk of AMI in AS patients after adjusting for possible clinical confounders. Special attention and work-up are required for physicians when encountering a history of endophthalmitis in these special patient populations, especially when they are comorbid with other potential CV risk factors.

Background and Objectives: This case report discusses possible causes of chorioretinal fold (CRF) formation. Materials and Methods: A case report. Results: A 48-year-old man presented with a history of high myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma in both eyes. He underwent a trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification in both eyes. Two months later, he complained of blurred vision in the right eye. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17 mmHg in the left eye and 9 mmHg in the right eye. Refraction showed a hyperopic shift in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination showed a deep anterior chamber without cells and a well-functional bleb without leakage. Fundus examination revealed CRFs in the macula of the right eye. No papilledema, choroidal lesions, or other retinal lesions were found. Wrinkling of CRFs at the macula, an increase in central foveal thickness, and a fluid cleft were demonstrated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. After using steroid eye drops, the IOP in the right eye and refraction in both eyes recovered to the baseline level. Visual acuity improved in both eyes. Conclusions: CRFs in trabeculectomized eyes with normal IOP after phacoemulsification have not been reported. This case demonstrated that the trabeculectomized eye remains at risk of CRF formation, even if the IOP is normal without hypotony. The importance of a detailed fundus examination in patients with unexplained blurred vision may be necessary after having undergone these procedures. The early recognition of the cause of visual loss may facilitate immediate treatment and may avoid irreversible changes with permanent visual loss.