Glaucoma is a complex, multifactorial disease affecting an estimated 80 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. It is a significant health and economic burden at both individual and societal level. Age, genetics, and high intraocular pressure (IOP) are all considerable risk factors. Despite strategies to manage IOP, >40% of treated glaucoma patients will progress to blindness. Neuroprotective treatments for glaucoma are of great therapeutic need.

The Pete Williams Lab is developing new neuroprotective treatments for glaucoma, from bench-to-bedside. Specifically, we are focusing on:

• Mechanisms of axon degeneration and neurodegeneration,
• Neuronal metabolism, especially NAD+ metabolism,
• Neuro-glia metabolic interactions and neuroinflammation,
• Novel translational neuroprotective strategies for glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases.

We collaborate with basic scientists and research clinicians to develop discoveries into targeted therapeutics in the clinic which includes multi-omic profiling, novel pharmacology, and translation to other diseases and clinical trials.