Which of the following condition is manifested by increased intraocular pressure?

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

Explanation

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye disorders characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP).
The elevated pressure is caused by a buildup of aqueous humor, the fluid inside the eye, due to inadequate drainage.
This sustained high pressure damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.
If left untreated, glaucoma leads to progressive and irreversible loss of vision, typically starting with the peripheral visual field.

Option A: Cataract is the clouding or opacification of the eye's natural lens. Its primary symptom is blurry or hazy vision, not increased intraocular pressure.
Option B: Conjunctivitis, or 'pink eye,' is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye. It causes redness, itching, and discharge, but does not affect intraocular pressure.
Option C: Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac (tear sac) located at the inner corner of the eye. It leads to localized pain, swelling, and excessive tearing, but it is not defined by increased pressure within the eyeball itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of common eye disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients, especially those over 40 or with a family history, about the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams for the early detection of glaucoma, as vision loss is irreversible.
A critical nursing responsibility is to recognize the signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma (sudden severe eye pain, nausea, halos around lights, blurred vision), which is a medical emergency requiring immediate ophthalmologic intervention to prevent blindness.
When administering eye drops for glaucoma, nurses should teach the patient the technique of punctal occlusion (applying pressure to the inner corner of the eye) to minimize systemic absorption of the medication and its potential side effects.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question stem, which is 'increased intraocular pressure'.
Next, analyze each option by recalling the defining pathophysiology of the condition.
Cataract: Think 'cloudy lens'.
Conjunctivitis: Think 'inflammation of conjunctiva' or 'pink eye'.
Dacryocystitis: Think 'infection of the tear sac'.
Glaucoma: Think 'high eye pressure damaging the optic nerve'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qx1S_XBDg2IrT7B9sMgn8i

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 pp. 93-95, 95-97

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

Practise the full OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

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