Evidence from animal models support NLRP3 inflammasome driving optic neuropathy, as evident by RGC degeneration and axon loss • Following an optic nerve crush (pONC), NLRP3 was upregulated in retinal microglial cells. Activation of NLRP3 - ASC inflammasome led to the up - regulation of caspase - 1 and IL - 1 β 20 In NLRP3 knockout mice: ‒ Up - regulation of ASC, caspase - 1, and IL - 1 β were all reduced, and RGC and axon loss was substantially reduced and delayed following pONC injury *p < 0.05 **p < 0.01 More RGCs survived in NLRP3 − / − mice than in controls Survival rate of axons in NLRP3 - / - was much higher than in controls **p < 0. 01 ***p < 0.001 Puyang , Z., Feng, L., Chen, H. et al. Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss is Delayed Following Optic Nerve Crush in NLRP3 Knockout Mice. Sci Rep 6 , 20998 (2016). https:// doi.org /10.1038/srep20998 Survival rate of RGCs