If glaucoma is not treated on time, it can lead to?

Appeared in: PGIMER Sangrur NO - 2023

Explanation

Untreated glaucoma leads to a progressive and irreversible loss of vision, culminating in total blindness.
The condition is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) which damages the optic nerve, the pathway for vision to the brain.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness because the ocular tissue damage produced by raised IOP is permanent.
Vision loss typically begins in the periphery, creating 'tunnel vision', and moves centrally as the nerve damage worsens.

Option B: Systemic hypertension (high blood pressure) is a risk factor that can contribute to the development of glaucoma, not a result of it.
Option C: Bitot's spots are foamy, whitish patches on the conjunctiva, which are a hallmark sign of severe Vitamin A deficiency (xerophthalmia). They have no pathological connection to glaucoma.
Option D: Opacity of the lens is the definition of a cataract. While both are common age-related eye diseases, they affect different parts of the eye; cataracts cloud the lens, while glaucoma damages the optic nerve.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Complications of untreated glaucoma as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient education regarding glaucoma, emphasizing the importance of regular eye exams for early detection and strict adherence to prescribed eye drop medication to control IOP.
Since vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, screening high-risk populations (e.g., individuals with a family history, older adults, diabetics) is a vital public health nursing function.
It is critical to teach patients the proper technique for instilling eye drops, including punctal occlusion, to maximize the drug's effect in the eye and minimize systemic side effects.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question: the long-term consequence of an untreated medical condition (glaucoma).
Recall the basic pathophysiology of glaucoma. It involves increased pressure inside the eye (IOP).
Consider how sustained high pressure would affect the delicate structures of the eye, specifically the optic nerve, which transmits visual information to the brain.
Evaluate each option based on this pathophysiology:
Blindness: Is this a plausible outcome of permanent nerve damage? Yes.
Hypertension: Is high blood pressure a result of an eye problem? Unlikely; it's a systemic issue and more likely a cause/risk factor.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QSV6S9qZSMjyZoRbNGmTY3

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 2 (215-514) p. 82-84

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 pp. 96-98, 93-95

Practise the full PGIMER Sangrur NO - 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.