CaMKII-based gene therapy protects retinal ganglion cells in a broad range of disease: ischemic retinopathy and congenital glaucoma.

Degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons, as observed in ischemic retinopathy and glaucoma, results in irreversible vision loss. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a key factor driving these conditions, with existing treatments focused on IOP reduction often proving inadequate to halt disease progression. Here, we report that CaMKII-based gene therapy robustly protects RGCs and preserves visual function in mouse models of ischemic injury and congenital glaucoma, positioning CaMKII as a broad therapeutic target for retinal diseases driven by acute and chronic IOP elevation that damage RGCs.