Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder in which a variety of complicated mechanisms lead to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis and death. According to various theories, factors including elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and vascular dysregulation primarily contribute to the initial insult during glaucomatous atrophy in the form of obstruction of axoplasmic flow within RGC axons, alteration in optic nerve microcirculation at the level of lamina and changes in the laminar glial and connective tissues. Deprivation of neurotrophic factors, such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and release of a large number of neurotoxic agents within the retina, including glutamate, nitric oxide and free radicals, are the consequences of the above-mentioned events.