Figure 7.

A novel model of optic nerve structure. Schematic illustration of conventional (A) and novel (B) models of optic nerve head structure. In the conventional model of the ON, the axons create independent, isolated channels allowing only for lengthwise current transduction. The new model of the ON considers the presence of interconnecting gap junctions between axons in the optic nerve head region that allow for lengthwise and crosswise propagation of impulses and decrease of the total ON resistance by creating syncytia that are connected in parallel, thus accelerating the current transduction.