Ocular ET-1 levels are elevated in aqueous humor in response to elevated intraocular pressure both in glaucoma patients and in animal models of glaucoma; however, the precise mechanisms by which ET-1 mediates glaucomatous optic neuropathy are not clear.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoactive peptide and its receptors, endothelin receptor A (ET(A)) and endothelin receptor B (ET(B)), have been implicated in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.