Define glaucoma.

Define glaucoma.

• A. A refractive error causing blurred vision.
• B. A corneal disease characterized by edema.
• C. A group of optic neuropathies characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and optic neuropathy, often with elevated intraocular pressure.
• D. A retinal detachment condition.

Answer: (C)

Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies defined by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and optic nerve damage, usually with elevated intraocular pressure. This framing highlights the neural damage driving the disease and the common link to higher eye pressure, which is a major risk factor though not always present. The other descriptions point to different eye problems: refractive errors blur vision from focusing issues, corneal edema is swelling of the cornea, and retinal detachment involves separation of the retina. So the definition that emphasizes optic nerve damage with retinal ganglion cell loss, often alongside high intraocular pressure, best captures what glaucoma is.

Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies defined by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and optic nerve damage, usually with elevated intraocular pressure. This framing highlights the neural damage driving the disease and the common link to higher eye pressure, which is a major risk factor though not always present. The other descriptions point to different eye problems: refractive errors blur vision from focusing issues, corneal edema is swelling of the cornea, and retinal detachment involves separation of the retina. So the definition that emphasizes optic nerve damage with retinal ganglion cell loss, often alongside high intraocular pressure, best captures what glaucoma is.