The present invention relates to methods to treat glaucoma and glaucoma-related conditions through the regulation of changes in gene expression thatare mediated by high intraocular pressure. Glaucoma, retinal ganglion cell(RGC) death and chronic ocular hypertension are treated using pharmaceuticalcompositions which comprise substances that inhibit the expression or activityof intraocular pressure-regulated early genes (IPREGs) or their gene productsthat are up-regulated by high intraocular pressure and/or which increase theexpression or activity of IPREGs or their gene products that are down-regulated by high intraocular pressure. The invention also relates to methodsof identifying an IPREG and methods to test for chronic ocular degenerationand the onset of RGC stress in an individual by measuring the expression levelof IPREG proteins.
