Researchers have found that stress causes eye cells to die faster. A hazard to vision.
A study points to a new harmful consequence of stress. According to a study conducted by the University of California (USA), stress accelerates vision loss by causing eye cells to die more quickly. Research conducted on mice found that repeated stress caused eye cells to age. Because of this, they may die earlier. These findings were published in the scientific journal Aging Cell.
“Our work emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and prevention as well as the specific management of age-related diseases, including glaucoma.”said Skowronska-Krawczyk, assistant professor in the departments of physiology and biophysics and ophthalmology on the faculty of the Center for Translational Vision Research at the UCI School of Medicine, in University press release. Before adding:The epigenetic changes observed suggest that the modifications at the chromatin level are acquired cumulatively, following several cases of stress. This gives us a window of opportunity for the prevention of vision loss, if and when the disease is recognized early.“.
Measuring epigenetic age of retinal tissue
In this study, the researchers analyzed the optic nerve head of eyes treated with a slight increase in pressure. The team noted that in the optic nerve head there was no evidence of loss of axons (nerve extensions). However, in the optic nerves of aged animals, a significant loss of axons was observed, similar to the phenomenon observed in patients with glaucoma.
Using a new tool, researchers have found that a mild and repetitive elevation of intraocular pressure can accelerate the epigenetic age of tissues. “In addition to measuring vision decline and some structural changes due to stress and potential treatment, we can now measure the epigenetic age of retinal tissue and use it to find the optimal strategy to prevent vision loss with aging.“, announced the scientist.
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