Abstract:Stress granules(SGs)are membraneless ribonucleoprotein condensates formed in the cytoplasm via liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)under various stress conditions. Their assembly mainly depends on phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α), which is central to the integrated stress response, but can also occur independently of this pathway. Their dynamics are driven by the low-complexity domains characteristic of RNA-binding proteins(RBPs), while the intracellular protein quality control system mediates their disassembly.Although the role of SGs in neurodegenerative diseases has been extensively reported, but their functions in ocular diseases—particularly glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), and diabetic retinopathy(DR)—are still in the exploratory stage. This review summarizes recent research progress on SGs in these major blinding eye diseases, focusing on the expression and functional changes of key RBPs(such as G3BP1/2, TIA-1, TDP-43, and FUS)and the regulatory mechanisms of LLPS-related signaling pathways, including PERK-eIF2α, Nrf2, mTOR, and the NLRP3 inflammasome. This review aims to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of blinding ocular diseases and to offer a theoretical basis for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting SG dynamics.
