Evidence mapPaperPMID 41348407Full record

ReviewInternational ophthalmology2025

The blood-retinal barrier in ocular pathologies: an updated narrative review.

Zhongci Hang, Yingxian Li, Weijie Ren, Hongwu Du

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in International ophthalmology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zhongci HangSchool of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
Yingxian LiSchool of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
Weijie RenSchool of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
Hongwu DuSchool of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China. hongwudu@ustb.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo provide a comprehensive overview of the structural and functional characteristics of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), examine its critical role in the pathogenesis of major ocular diseases, and summarize current and emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring BRB integrity.

methodsA literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing primarily on publications from the past 10 years supplemented by seminal earlier works. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on BRB molecular anatomy, pathological mechanisms, disease-specific roles, and therapeutic interventions.

resultsThe BRB comprises inner (iBRB) and outer (oBRB) compartments with distinct cellular and molecular architectures. BRB dysfunction is driven by convergent mechanisms including aging, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypoxia, which disrupt tight junction proteins and promote aberrant angiogenesis. This barrier breakdown constitutes a pivotal pathogenic driver in major blinding diseases: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion, glaucoma, and uveitis. Current standard treatments include anti-VEGF agents and corticosteroids. Emerging strategies target Wnt/β-catenin signaling, employ senolytic therapies, utilize biomaterial-based drug delivery, and develop organ-on-a-chip models for personalized medicine.

conclusionsBRB disruption represents a critical inflection point in ocular disease progression, triggering self-perpetuating cycles of neuroinflammation and degeneration. Effective restoration requires multi-faceted approaches combining anti-angiogenic, antiinflammatory, and barrier-strengthening mechanisms. Future research should focus on dynamic functional assessment, single-cell multi-omics integration, and adaptive therapeutic strategies to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Indexed as

Blood-Retinal BarrierEye DiseasesRetinal DiseasesHumansBarrier breakdownBlood–retinal barrierEye diseasesInflammatory mediators

Identifiers

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.