Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Which condition is characterized by elevated intraocular pressure?

1. Cataracts

2. Glaucoma

3. Macular degeneration

4. Retinal detachment

The correct answer is: Glaucoma

The condition characterized by elevated intraocular pressure is glaucoma. Glaucoma is often referred to as the "silent thief of sight" because it can lead to irreversible vision loss without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. The elevated intraocular pressure occurs when the balance of fluid production and drainage in the eye is disrupted, leading to increased pressure that can damage the optic nerve. Cataracts, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment involve different pathological processes related to vision loss but do not primarily stem from elevated intraocular pressure. Cataracts relate to the clouding of the eye's lens, macular degeneration affects the macula leading to central vision loss, and retinal detachment involves the separation of the retina from the underlying tissue, which may lead to different symptoms and causes of vision impairment.