Experimental eye researchOct 24, 2026

How Cellular Recycling Affects Eye Health and Disease, and Possible Treatments

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Oct 25, 2026

Abstract

Autophagy is a crucial process for cellular recycling and quality control that may be linked to various eye diseases.

Autophagy helps in breaking down and recycling cellular components, maintaining cellular health.
In the eye, autophagic activity is essential for proper development and structural integrity.
Dysregulation of autophagy has been observed in conditions such as corneal disease, cataracts, and glaucoma.
The review highlights the role of autophagy in major retinal diseases and its potential pathogenic contributions.

Simplified

Autophagy represents a lysosomal degradative pathway through which cells systematically break down and recycle their own constituents, including proteins, lipid droplets, and entire organelles, by sequestering them within double-membrane autophagosomes prior to lysosomal fusion. Beyond its role as a fundamental quality control mechanism, this process critically shapes cellular metabolism and preserves intracellular equilibrium. In ocular biology, autophagic activity is involved in structural morphogenesis during eye development and becomes dysregulated across a spectrum of vision-threatening disorders. This review synthesises current evidence on autophagy throughout distinct ocular compartments, with particular attention given to its pathogenic contributions to corneal disease, cataract formation, glaucomatous neurodegeneration, and major retinopathies, with the goal of advancing the understanding of the underlying mechanism in this evolving field.

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How Cellular Recycling Affects Eye Health and Disease, and Possible Treatments

Abstract

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