Retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve head (RGC/ONH)

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the essential neurons that bridge the eye and the brain, processing visual information and transmitting it via axons that exit the eye at the optic nerve head (ONH) (StatPearls, 2023). The ONH is a specialized anatomical region where these axons are particularly vulnerable to mechanical and vascular stress, making it the primary site of damage in diseases like glaucoma (Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2017). In these conditions, RGCs undergo progressive apoptosis, leading to permanent vision loss as the optic nerve degenerates (NIH/NEI, 2023). While not a single molecular target, the RGC-ONH complex is the focus of therapeutic strategies including intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and experimental neuroprotective agents like brimonidine or neurotrophic factors (Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research, 2018). Current research also explores gene therapy and stem cell-based approaches to regenerate RGCs or protect the ONH environment (Molecular Neurodegeneration, 2021).

Other names

Retinal ganglion cellOptic nerve headOptic discGanglion cell layerRetinal nerve fiber layerRGCsONH

Reduction of intraocular pressure to alleviate mechanical stress on the optic nerve head; neuroprotection to prevent retinal ganglion cell apoptosis; enhancement of axonal transport; modulation of glutamate excitotoxicity.