Optic Nerve transection is a widely used model of adult CNS injury. Ninety percent of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) whose axons are completely transected (axotomy) die within 14 days after axotomy. This model is easily amenable to experimental manipulations and highly reproducible.
Magharious, M. M., D'Onofrio, P. M., Koeberle, P. D. Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System. J. Vis. Exp. (51), e2241, doi:10.3791/2241 (2011).