Excessive intraocular pressure that causes atrophy of the optic nerve describes which condition?

Excessive intraocular pressure that causes atrophy of the optic nerve describes which condition?

• A. Glaucoma
• B. Iritis
• C. Hordeolum
• D. Presbyopia

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma. When pressure inside the eye stays high, it puts stress on the optic nerve head and damages the retinal nerve fibers, leading to optic neuropathy and gradual vision loss. Over time this damage can cause the optic nerve to appear cupped and atrophic on examination. Iritis is inflammation of the iris, which presents with redness and pain; a hordeolum is a stye on the eyelid; presbyopia is age-related difficulty focusing up close. While some glaucoma cases can occur with normal pressure, the description given matches glaucoma best.

Glaucoma. When pressure inside the eye stays high, it puts stress on the optic nerve head and damages the retinal nerve fibers, leading to optic neuropathy and gradual vision loss. Over time this damage can cause the optic nerve to appear cupped and atrophic on examination. Iritis is inflammation of the iris, which presents with redness and pain; a hordeolum is a stye on the eyelid; presbyopia is age-related difficulty focusing up close. While some glaucoma cases can occur with normal pressure, the description given matches glaucoma best.