Which eye disease damages the optic nerve and is commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure?

• A. Glaucoma
• B. Night Blindness
• C. Subconjunctival Hemmorhage
• D. Eye Emergencies

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy, meaning it damages the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. It’s commonly linked to elevated intraocular pressure because higher pressure inside the eye can stress and injure the optic nerve head (the optic disc), leading to death of retinal ganglion cells and progressive, irreversible vision loss—often starting with the peripheral field. Because the damage accumulates quietly, regular screening with eye pressure checks and optic nerve assessment is crucial; treatment aims to lower the pressure to slow or halt progression, using eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery.

Night blindness involves poor vision in low light and is not primarily about optic nerve damage from high eye pressure. Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a superficial bleed under the conjunctiva and doesn’t affect the optic nerve or intraocular pressure. Eye emergencies is a broad category, not a specific disease.