Mitochondrial function is key to support metabolism and homeostasis in the retina, an organ that has one of the highest metabolic rates body-wide and is constantly exposed to photooxidative damage and external stressors. Mitophagy is the selective autophagic degradation of mitochondria within lysosomes, and can be triggered by distinct stimuli such as mitochondrial damage or hypoxia. Here, we review the importance of mitophagy in retinal physiology and pathology. In the developing retina, mitophagy is essential for metabolic reprogramming and differentiation of retina ganglion cells (RGCs). In basal conditions, mitophagy acts as a quality control mechanism, maintaining a healthy mitochondrial pool to meet cellular demands. We summarize the different autophagy- and mitophagy-deficient mouse models described in the literature, and discuss the potential role of mitophagy dysregulation in retinal diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration. Finally, we provide an overview of methods used to monitor mitophagy in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. This review highlights the important role of mitophagy in sustaining visual function, and its potential as a putative therapeutic target for retinal and other diseases.

线粒体功能是支持视网膜新陈代谢和稳态的关键，视网膜是全身代谢率最高的器官之一，并且不断暴露于光氧化损伤和外部压力源下。线粒体自噬是溶酶体内线粒体的选择性自噬降解，可由不同的刺激（如线粒体损伤或缺氧）触发。在这里，我们回顾线粒体自噬在视网膜生理学和病理学中的重要性。在发育中的视网膜中，线粒体自噬对于视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）的代谢重编程和分化至关重要。在基础条件下，线粒体自噬充当质量控制机制，维持健康的线粒体库以满足细胞需求。我们总结了文献中描述的不同自噬和线粒体自噬缺陷小鼠模型，并讨论了线粒体自噬失调在青光眼、糖尿病性视网膜病变、色素性视网膜炎和年龄相关性黄斑变性等视网膜疾病中的潜在作用。最后，我们概述了用于监测体外、离体和体内线粒体自。这篇综述强调了线粒体自噬在维持视觉功能中的重要作用，及其作为视网膜和其他疾病的假定治疗靶点的潜力。