Structural changes of the retina and optic nerve as potential markers of the schizophrenic process

Schizophrenia is a chronic and complex mental disorder with a still incompletely understood etiology, posing substantial challenges for both diagnosis and treatment. Despite intensive advances in the development of psychiatry, clear and objective methods for early detection, prediction of disease course, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment have still not been developed. Therefore, there is an ongoing search for potential biomarkers that may allow more effective diagnosis and treatment of the disease and its tailoring to the individual patient, thereby improving the diagnostic and therapeutic process.

The purpose of this article is to review the current state of knowledge on retinal changes in schizophrenia and their relationship to the course of this disorder. The results obtained so far suggest that abnormalities in the structure and function of the retina, as well as membrane lipid metabolism and neurotrophin activity, which may affect them, may be considered as promising biomarkers of the schizophrenic process, especially in the area of cognitive impairment and deficit symptoms. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the aforementioned changes may facilitate the development of new and more effective treatment strategies, ultimately improving the general condition and psychosocial functioning of patients.