In glaucoma, which structure is primarily damaged due to elevated intraocular pressure?

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Multiple Choice

In glaucoma, which structure is primarily damaged due to elevated intraocular pressure?

Elevated intraocular pressure primarily injures the optic nerve, especially at the optic nerve head, where retinal ganglion cell axons converge to form the optic nerve. Sustained high pressure disrupts axoplasmic flow and reduces blood supply to the nerve head, leading to death of these nerve fibers. Over time this produces the characteristic cupping of the optic disc and progressive peripheral visual field loss that defines glaucoma. The lens and cornea aren’t the primary structures damaged by elevated pressure in glaucoma, though they can be affected by other conditions or consequences of eye disease. The retina can experience secondary changes, but the defining and earliest damage in glaucoma is to the optic nerve.

Elevated intraocular pressure primarily injures the optic nerve, especially at the optic nerve head, where retinal ganglion cell axons converge to form the optic nerve. Sustained high pressure disrupts axoplasmic flow and reduces blood supply to the nerve head, leading to death of these nerve fibers. Over time this produces the characteristic cupping of the optic disc and progressive peripheral visual field loss that defines glaucoma.

The lens and cornea aren’t the primary structures damaged by elevated pressure in glaucoma, though they can be affected by other conditions or consequences of eye disease. The retina can experience secondary changes, but the defining and earliest damage in glaucoma is to the optic nerve.

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