Reactive oxygen species-induced cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles in rat retinal ganglion cells

► ZnO nanoparticles induce cell damage via ROS overproduction in RGC-5 cells. ► Excessive formation of ROS will lead to the overexpression of caspase-12. ► Caspase-12 overexpression can induce apoptosis/necrosis in RGC-5 cells.