The function of αA-crytstallin and effects in ocular diseases

αA-crystallin is an important protein in lens, with molecular chaperone founction, apoptosis regulation effect, neovascularization regulation, oxidation-reduction reaction process regulation and inflammation reaction regulation.Now, more and more studies have verified that αA-crystallin exists not only in lens, but also in other intraocular structures, such as retina.αA-crystallin can not only maintain the internal environment homeostasis, but also participate in many other eye diseases, such as optic nerve injury diseases, retinal degeneration, ocular neoplasmas, inflammatory diseases and retinal choroidal vascular diseases.This article reviewed the distribution, structure and founction of αA-crystallin and its effects in ocular diseases.