Which disease is associated with increased intraocular pressure and can lead to blindness?

Which disease is associated with increased intraocular pressure and can lead to blindness?

• A. Cataract
• B. Glaucoma
• C. Corneal abrasion
• D. Diabetic retinopathy

Answer: (B)

Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss or even blindness if left untreated. The rise in IOP is often due to impaired drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid that maintains the eye's shape and provides nutrients to the eye. Over time, this pressure can cause irreversible damage to the retinal nerve fibers, resulting in a progressive loss of peripheral vision, known as tunnel vision, and potentially complete vision loss. In contrast, cataracts involve clouding of the lens of the eye leading to blurred vision but do not typically cause increased intraocular pressure. Corneal abrasions involve scratches on the cornea that can cause pain and visual disturbances but are not related to intraocular pressure issues. Diabetic retinopathy, which is associated with diabetes, leads to changes in the retina due to damage from high blood sugar levels, but it does not directly cause an increase in IOP. The specific link of glaucoma to increased intraocular pressure and its potential for causing blindness makes it the correct choice in this scenario.

Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss or even blindness if left untreated. The rise in IOP is often due to impaired drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid that maintains the eye's shape and provides nutrients to the eye. Over time, this pressure can cause irreversible damage to the retinal nerve fibers, resulting in a progressive loss of peripheral vision, known as tunnel vision, and potentially complete vision loss.

In contrast, cataracts involve clouding of the lens of the eye leading to blurred vision but do not typically cause increased intraocular pressure. Corneal abrasions involve scratches on the cornea that can cause pain and visual disturbances but are not related to intraocular pressure issues. Diabetic retinopathy, which is associated with diabetes, leads to changes in the retina due to damage from high blood sugar levels, but it does not directly cause an increase in IOP. The specific link of glaucoma to increased intraocular pressure and its potential for causing blindness makes it the correct choice in this scenario.