NFE2L2 and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: In our previous study, activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling was demonstrated to promote retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and to prevent blood–optic nerve barrier disruption in a rat model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION) [8].