The Distribution of Mitochondrial Activity in Relation to Optic Nerve Structure

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Abstract
THE OPTIC nerve is an extension of the central nervous system with unique structural features. Unmyelinated nerve fibers exit the eye through the lamina cribrosa, becoming myelinated at the posterior border. At the ultrastructural level, the concentration of mitochondria decreases dramatically at the level of the lamina. The finding of increased numbers of mitochondria in the prelaminar and laminar regions of the optic nerve has traditionally been attributed to mechanical constriction or axoplasmic stasis at the lamina.1-4 This, in turn, has influenced our investigation and understanding of optic neuropathies, such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and glaucoma, but leaves many unanswered questions.