Glaucoma involves which primary mechanism and consequence?

Glaucoma involves which primary mechanism and consequence?

• A. Increased intraocular pressure results in damage to the retina and optic nerve with peripheral vision loss. Individuals will gradually lose peripheral vision. Images appear to be viewed through a tunnel.
• B. Clouding of the lens
• C. Refractive error due to corneal shape
• D. Temporary vision loss due to migraine

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma is driven by elevated intraocular pressure from impaired drainage of aqueous humor. That increased pressure strains and damages the optic nerve and the retinal nerve fibers, leading to a progressive loss of the visual field that starts at the periphery. In other words, you first lose peripheral vision, and if the condition worsens you can develop tunnel vision where central vision remains longer but overall sight narrows. This description captures both the mechanism (higher pressure) and the consequence (retina/optic nerve damage with peripheral vision loss). Other eye conditions described by the other options involve lens clouding (cataracts), refractive errors from corneal shape, or transient vision changes from migraine, none of which describe the glaucomatous process.

Glaucoma is driven by elevated intraocular pressure from impaired drainage of aqueous humor. That increased pressure strains and damages the optic nerve and the retinal nerve fibers, leading to a progressive loss of the visual field that starts at the periphery. In other words, you first lose peripheral vision, and if the condition worsens you can develop tunnel vision where central vision remains longer but overall sight narrows. This description captures both the mechanism (higher pressure) and the consequence (retina/optic nerve damage with peripheral vision loss). Other eye conditions described by the other options involve lens clouding (cataracts), refractive errors from corneal shape, or transient vision changes from migraine, none of which describe the glaucomatous process.