Which condition causes fluid pressure to build in the eye and damage the optic nerve tissue?

Which condition causes fluid pressure to build in the eye and damage the optic nerve tissue?

• A. Glaucoma
• B. Optic neuritis
• C. Optic nerve atrophy
• D. Pigmentary glaucoma

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma is the condition where fluid pressure builds up inside the eye and then injures the optic nerve. This happens because the aqueous humor, the clear fluid in the front part of the eye, isn’t draining properly through the trabecular meshwork and drainage pathways. When outflow is reduced or blocked, intraocular pressure rises and presses on the optic nerve, especially at the point where nerve fibers exit the eye, leading to progressive damage and vision loss over time. Some related ideas help clarify why this is the right answer. Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve and doesn’t necessarily involve increased eye pressure, so it isn’t defined by pressure buildup. Optic nerve atrophy refers to degeneration of the nerve tissue from various causes, not specifically due to elevated pressure. Pigmentary glaucoma is a type of glaucoma where pigment from the iris can contribute to drainage blockage, causing pressure rise, but it’s still a form of glaucoma, not a separate mechanism from the pressure-damage pattern.

Glaucoma is the condition where fluid pressure builds up inside the eye and then injures the optic nerve. This happens because the aqueous humor, the clear fluid in the front part of the eye, isn’t draining properly through the trabecular meshwork and drainage pathways. When outflow is reduced or blocked, intraocular pressure rises and presses on the optic nerve, especially at the point where nerve fibers exit the eye, leading to progressive damage and vision loss over time.

Some related ideas help clarify why this is the right answer. Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve and doesn’t necessarily involve increased eye pressure, so it isn’t defined by pressure buildup. Optic nerve atrophy refers to degeneration of the nerve tissue from various causes, not specifically due to elevated pressure. Pigmentary glaucoma is a type of glaucoma where pigment from the iris can contribute to drainage blockage, causing pressure rise, but it’s still a form of glaucoma, not a separate mechanism from the pressure-damage pattern.