GJA1 and glaucoma: Figure 2 illustrates the role of CX43 in glaucoma. Studies have shown that upregulation of CX43 serves as an initial trigger for the inflammatory cascade leading to RGC death following ischemic retinal injury. However, blocking CX43 HCs can preserve the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier, thereby reducing glial-related secondary tissue damage and exerting significant neuroprotective effects (Toychiev et al., 2021).