retinal ganglion cells

Understanding dead vs dormant optic nerve cells

Question from a FitEyes member: Hello. I am impressed with the enormous amount of knowledge some of you have about glaucoma. You can teach the doctors a few things. I was diagnosed with glaucoma two years ago and as all of you am looking for ways to get better.
Can anyone tell me what happens to dead optic nerve cells? Does the body flush them away or do they remain in their shriveled state?
There also must be millions of stunted, dormant," hibernating" optic nerve cells, for otherwise how can microcurrent bring them partly back to life? This procedure is available in Germany but is expensive and seems to last less than a year.
I would like to believe in resurrection for the only alternative is stem cell therapy which is probably a dozen years away. I would appreciate any information.

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What are retinal ganglion cells?

Retinal ganglion cells represent the output neurons of the retina. They are responsible for integrating electrical signals that originate with the photoreceptors and, via their axons that comprise the optic nerve, transmit that information to higher visual centers of the brain. The retinal ganglion cells reside on the inner surface of the retina and their axons course across the inner surface to exit at the back of the eye through a region known as the optic nerve head.

This definition comes from:

Glaucoma and Alzheimer's May Have Common Origins and Treatment

This news comes from Neil Osterweil, Senior Associate Editor, MedPage Today. (Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.)