coenzyme q10

# Introduction **Glaucoma** is a progressive optic neuropathy marked by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and visual field loss ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6301180/#:~:text=Glaucoma%2C%20the%20leading%20cause%20of,strategies%20but%20not%20focused%20on)). Although lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the mainstay of treatment, many patients continue to lose vision despite controlled IOP, suggesting additional factors contribute to injury ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6301180/#:~:text=Glaucoma%2C%20the%20leading%20cause%20of,strategies%20but%20not%20focused%20on)). Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are increasingly recognized in glaucomatous optic nerve damage ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6301180/#:~:text=Glaucoma%2C%20the%20leading%20cause%20of,strategies%20but%20not%20focused%20on)). **Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)** – a lipophilic cofactor of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation – emerges as a candidate neuroprotectant. CoQ10 shuttles electrons between complexes I/II and complex III in the electron transport chain and also scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36300654/#:~:text=Coenzyme%20Q_,clinical%20trials%20observed%20that%20its)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12428967/#:~:text=recent%20studies%20identified%20via%20PubMed,Pyruvate%20supports%20energy%20metabolism%2C%20scavenges)). In tissues with high energy demand and low antioxidant reserve, such as the retina and optic nerve, CoQ10 may support cellular bioenergetics and reduce oxidative damage. This article reviews CoQ10’s **mitochondrial** and **antioxidant** roles in the eye, evidence from animal and clinical glaucoma studies (including interactions with IOP-lowering drugs), and related systemic findings in aging and cardiometabolic health. We also discuss CoQ10 bioavailability, safety, and gaps in clinical evidence for glaucoma endpoints. ## CoQ10 in Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism CoQ10 is synthesized endogenously by mitochondria and is essential for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In the inner mitochondrial membrane, **ubiquinone (CoQ10)** accepts electrons from complex I and II and transfers them to complex III, driving proton pumping and ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36300654/#:~:text=Coenzyme%20Q_,clinical%20trials%20observed%20that%20its)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12428967/#:~:text=recent%20studies%20identified%20via%20PubMed,Pyruvate%20supports%20energy%20metabolism%2C%20scavenges)). Nearly every cell in the body contains CoQ10, with especially high concentrations in tissues with large mitochondria – such as the heart, brain, and retina ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36300654/#:~:text=Coenzyme%20Q_,clinical

Coenzyme Q10 as a Mitochondrial Adjunct in Glaucoma and Lifespan Health

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