Fig. 1

Significant retinal ganglion cell loss has occurred in late-stage glaucoma. A Control and glaucomatous retinas were labelled for RBPMS (red) to determine RGC density. 40X tiled images were cropped to 1000 µm of retina at 2 mm (central) and 6 mm (peripheral). B RGC density was significantly reduced in both central and peripheral retina with an almost complete absence of RGCs in the glaucoma samples. C Axon density was estimated by NF-M staining in the RNFL in retina and in the optic nerve head (brown). D Signal intensity was significantly reduced in the RNFL in both central and peripheral retina and along the whole ONH suggesting a significant loss of axon density. These suggest that all glaucoma samples are at a late-disease stage with significant retinal ganglion cell loss. Scale bar = 200 µm in A and C (retina), 500 µm in C (ONH). ** = P < 0.01, *** = P < 0.001. C = Control, G = Glaucoma. RBPMS = RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing, RGC = retinal ganglion cell, NF-M = Neurofilament medium, RNFL = retinal nerve fiber layer, ONH = optic nerve head