Narrative Review on the Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathomechanism of Ocular Diseases: Update 2025

Andrzej Grzybowski^1,2,*, Aušrinė Bajoriūnaitė³, Reda Žemaitienė³
1 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
2 Institute for Research in Ophthalmology, Foundation for Ophthalmology Development, Poznan, Poland
3 Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
* Corresponding Author: Andrzej Grzybowski. Email: email
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Modulation of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Function: Therapeutic Perspectives Across Diseases)

BIOCELL https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2026.083756

Received 09 April 2026; Accepted 22 July 2026; Published online 22 July 2026

Download PDF

Abstract

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense mechanisms and contributes to cellular damage and the pathogenesis of various diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular and biochemical mechanisms associated with oxidative stress in ocular diseases, including dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and cataract. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies published up to 31 December 2025. Current evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular damage associated with ocular diseases. A better understanding of oxidative stress-related mechanisms may provide new insights into the pathogenesis and progression of ocular diseases.