Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Rock Inhibitors

Singh, Amardeep LU (2025) p.195-210
Abstract

Inhibition of the Rho-kinase (ROCK) signalling pathway has widespread effects on cellular behaviour. In the cornea, ROCK inhibitors promote the integrity of the epithelial layer and limbal stem cells and regeneration of the endothelium layer. Clinical studies have demonstrated successful regeneration of the endothelium using ROCK inhibitors without a corneal graft in patients with corneal endothelial decompensation. Moreover, ROCK inhibitors have inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and prevent corneal neovascularization—a critical risk factor for allograft rejection. In a significant proportion of patients, intraocular pressure increases in the post-keratoplasty period negatively affecting graft survival and nerve fibre layer health.... (More)

Inhibition of the Rho-kinase (ROCK) signalling pathway has widespread effects on cellular behaviour. In the cornea, ROCK inhibitors promote the integrity of the epithelial layer and limbal stem cells and regeneration of the endothelium layer. Clinical studies have demonstrated successful regeneration of the endothelium using ROCK inhibitors without a corneal graft in patients with corneal endothelial decompensation. Moreover, ROCK inhibitors have inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and prevent corneal neovascularization—a critical risk factor for allograft rejection. In a significant proportion of patients, intraocular pressure increases in the post-keratoplasty period negatively affecting graft survival and nerve fibre layer health. Thus, ROCK inhibitors may promote graft survival and visual outcome through multiple means. Worldwide, there are two approved ROCK inhibitors for usage in patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Generally, ROCK inhibitors are considered safe, but a significant percentage of patients using eye drops containing ROCK inhibitors experience local adverse side-effects, such as blepharitis and conjunctival hyperaemia. Newer, more selective ROCK inhibitors are being developed and may have a better ocular tolerability profile. This chapter will describe the ROCK signalling pathway and discuss clinical applications and future perspectives with special reference to the cornea, and to a lesser extent, glaucoma.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Mastering DMEK and PDEK : Thin Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, Second Edition - Thin Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, Second Edition
pages
16 pages
publisher
Springer Nature
external identifiers
  • scopus:105004486168
ISBN
9789819734696
9789819734689
DOI
10.1007/9789819734696_18
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b4ded513-05e6-4cec-92f2-d8ea4723561b
date added to LUP
2025-09-16 09:47:15
date last changed
2025-10-14 13:19:49
@inbook{b4ded513-05e6-4cec-92f2-d8ea4723561b,
  abstract     = {{<p>Inhibition of the Rho-kinase (ROCK) signalling pathway has widespread effects on cellular behaviour. In the cornea, ROCK inhibitors promote the integrity of the epithelial layer and limbal stem cells and regeneration of the endothelium layer. Clinical studies have demonstrated successful regeneration of the endothelium using ROCK inhibitors without a corneal graft in patients with corneal endothelial decompensation. Moreover, ROCK inhibitors have inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and prevent corneal neovascularization—a critical risk factor for allograft rejection. In a significant proportion of patients, intraocular pressure increases in the post-keratoplasty period negatively affecting graft survival and nerve fibre layer health. Thus, ROCK inhibitors may promote graft survival and visual outcome through multiple means. Worldwide, there are two approved ROCK inhibitors for usage in patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Generally, ROCK inhibitors are considered safe, but a significant percentage of patients using eye drops containing ROCK inhibitors experience local adverse side-effects, such as blepharitis and conjunctival hyperaemia. Newer, more selective ROCK inhibitors are being developed and may have a better ocular tolerability profile. This chapter will describe the ROCK signalling pathway and discuss clinical applications and future perspectives with special reference to the cornea, and to a lesser extent, glaucoma.</p>}},
  author       = {{Singh, Amardeep}},
  booktitle    = {{Mastering DMEK and PDEK : Thin Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, Second Edition}},
  isbn         = {{9789819734696}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{195--210}},
  publisher    = {{Springer Nature}},
  title        = {{Rock Inhibitors}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/9789819734696_18}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/9789819734696_18}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}