Advances in the effects of vision restoration on brain function and structure after cataract surgery and potential molecular mechanisms

Aging is often accompanied by age-related cataract and concurrent degeneration in brain function and structure.Restoration of vision after cataract surgery not only improves visual function, but also affects brain function and structure.Cataract surgery can enhance the effective transmission of blue light by intrinsically photoreceptive ganglion cells, and increase the secretion of melatonin in vivo, thereby regulating biological rhythm and improving the cognitive level of patients.Melatonin can activate its related molecular pathways, such as Reelin, Notch signaling, etc., affecting the accumulation and deposition of β-amyloid protein, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and playing an important role in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases.Although clinical studies have confirmed that vision restoration after cataract surgery can partially reverse the decline in brain function and structure, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear.Based on the eye-brain relationship, this paper reviewed and discussed the effects of vision restoration after cataract surgery on brain function and structure and the potential molecular mechanism, so as to provide new ideas and methods for brain remodeling.

Cataract; Vision restoration; Intrinsically photoreceptive ganglion cells