Microglia in the Optic Nerve Head and the Region of Parapapillary Chorioretinal Atrophy in Glaucoma

Abstract

In glaucoma, microglia in the optic nerve head become activated and redistributed. Enlarged, activated microglia appear in the parapapillary chorioretinal region, perhaps due to migration from the disorganized prelaminar and laminar tissue. Strategically positioned microglia may also serve a neuroprotective function in relation to a damaged blood-retinal barrier. The activity of microglia in the parapapillary chorioretinal region in glaucoma may be responsible for some of the biomicroscopic and histological changes that are associated with parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy.