Cells affected in glaucomatous optic neuropathy are:(AIIMS May 2014, Nov 2013)
**Core Concept**
Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is characterized by the progressive loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve. This damage is primarily caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which results in the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Ganglion cells are the primary cell type affected in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. These cells are responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain via the optic nerve. Elevated IOP leads to increased pressure on the optic nerve, causing damage to the axons of ganglion cells. This damage disrupts the normal transmission of visual signals, resulting in vision loss. The axonal damage and subsequent cell death are thought to be due to the mechanical stress and ischemia caused by the elevated IOP.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Amacrine cells are a type of interneuron in the retina that play a role in processing visual information, but they are not the primary cell type affected in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
**Option B:** Bipolar cells are another type of neuron in the retina that transmit visual information from the photoreceptors to the ganglion cells, but they are not directly affected by elevated IOP.
**Option D:** Rods and cones are the photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for detecting light and color, but they are not directly affected by glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to note that the damage caused by glaucomatous optic neuropathy is irreversible, and the primary treatment goal is to reduce IOP to prevent further damage and slow disease progression.
✓ Correct Answer: C. Ganglion cells