Which of the following conditions is caused by elevated intraocular pressure?

Appeared in: HPSSC - 2015

Explanation

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).
The increased pressure damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual signals to the brain.
This damage is progressive and typically starts with the loss of peripheral vision.
If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to irreversible blindness.
The underlying cause is an imbalance in the production and drainage of aqueous humor, leading to its accumulation and a rise in IOP.

Option A: Strabismus is a condition of eye misalignment caused by dysfunction of the extraocular muscles or the nerves that control them, not by intraocular pressure.
Option B: Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error. It occurs when the shape of the eye causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of the retina instead of on the retina. It is not related to eye pressure.
Option D: A cataract is the clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. It is most commonly caused by aging and changes in the protein structure of the lens, not by elevated intraocular pressure.

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 are key in screening for glaucoma by identifying high-risk patients (older age, family history, diabetes) and facilitating regular eye check-ups, including tonometry.
Patient education is a critical nursing responsibility, focusing on the importance of lifelong medication adherence to control IOP and prevent vision loss.
Nurses must be able to recognize the symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma (sudden severe eye pain, nausea, halos around lights) as a medical emergency requiring immediate referral to an ophthalmologist.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'caused by elevated intraocular pressure'.
Next, review the four options provided, which are all common eye conditions.
Systematically recall or deduce the primary cause of each condition.
For Strabismus, recall it's a muscle/nerve alignment issue.
For Myopia, recall it's a refractive error related to the eye's shape.
For Cataract, recall it's a clouding of the lens.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 p. 93-95

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 271-273

Practise the full HPSSC - 2015

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