Which condition is described by increased intraocular pressure due to disrupted drainage, with vision changes and halos?

• A. Cataracts
• B. Macular degeneration
• C. Retinal detachment
• D. Glaucoma

Answer: (D)

Glaucoma is caused by disrupted drainage of the aqueous humor, which raises intraocular pressure. The eye continually makes aqueous humor, but it must drain through the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm’s canal; when drainage is blocked or reduced, pressure builds up. That elevated pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to vision changes, and halos around lights can appear as corneal edema from the high pressure and refractive changes. This scenario is classically associated with glaucoma, as opposed to other eye conditions.

Cataracts cloud the lens and primarily produce blurred or hazy vision; macular degeneration affects central vision from macular damage; retinal detachment causes a sudden onset of floaters, flashes, or a curtain-like loss of vision.