What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is best defined as a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure. The optic nerve is crucial as it transmits visual information from the eye to the brain, and any damage to it can lead to vision loss or even blindness. The process typically involves a gradual degeneration of the optic nerve fibers, which is why glaucoma can be difficult to detect in its early stages.

Elevated intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for glaucoma, but not everyone with high pressure develops the disease, and some individuals can have glaucoma with normal pressure, making the condition complex. There are various types of glaucoma, with primary open-angle glaucoma being the most common. Regular screening and monitoring are vital to manage the risk of vision loss effectively.

In contrast, the other options represent different eye conditions: a condition affecting the shape of the lens pertains to refractive errors; inflammation of the retina would relate to retinal diseases such as uveitis; and a form of nearsightedness refers to myopia, which is unrelated to optic nerve damage.