Abstract:Retinal degenerative diseases(RDDs)are one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness worldwide, whose core pathological mechanism is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria, as the energy metabolism center of cells, their dysfunction can lead to excessive accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, imbalance in energy metabolism, and subsequently trigger apoptosis and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial cells, photoreceptors, and retinal ganglion cells. In recent years, intercellular mitochondrial transfer has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy, demonstrating significant potential in repairing impaired cellular energy metabolism, alleviating oxidative stress, and delaying disease progression by supplementing healthy mitochondria. This article systematically reviews the specific mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in various RDDs(such as age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal diseases, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy), explores therapeutic strategies related to mitochondrial transplantation for RDDs, existing research, limitations, and future directions, aiming to promote the eventual clinical application of this cutting-edge therapy.
