How does glaucoma affect the histology of the optic nerve?
Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressure, which can lead to damage of the optic nerve. Histologically, this damage manifests as the loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons, resulting in thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Over time, these changes lead to the characteristic cupping of the optic disc and progressive visual field loss.
