Differentiated RGC-5s are susceptible to glutamate and H2O2 induced cell death that can be prevented with rhBDNF. Significant cell death can be induced in SS differentiated RGC-5s with glutamate treatment at concentrations greater than 800 μM, as compared to vehicle treated, control RGC-5s (A, p < 0.05). H2O2 also proved to be a potent inducer of significant cell death at concentrations of 10 μM and greater (B, p < 0.05). Cell death induced by glutamate (C), or H2O2 (D) could be attenuated by addition of rhBDNF at concentrations of 100 ng/ mL and greater (p < 0.05), as compared to RGC-5s treated with glutamate or H2O2 only. Cell death was confirmed in these experiments by application of Sytox, which labels dying cells. Control RGC-5s had significantly less Sytox labeling than H2O2 or glutamate treated cells (E, p < 0.0001).