Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain and Growth/differentiation factor-15s were increased in the chronic stage of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and autosomal-dominant optic atrophy, suggesting an ongoing neurodegeneration in both optic neuropathies with a role for optic nerve head astrocytes in this process. Here, GDF15 is linked to optic nerve disorder.