Open angle glaucoma causes –
**Core Concept**
Open angle glaucoma is a type of glaucoma characterized by the progressive loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve. It is caused by the increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye, which is a result of impaired aqueous humor drainage.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In open angle glaucoma, the drainage channels in the trabecular meshwork, the spongy tissue located near the base of the iris, become clogged. This leads to an accumulation of aqueous humor, causing the IOP to rise. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. The pathogenesis of open angle glaucoma is multifactorial, involving a combination of factors such as impaired aqueous humor drainage, increased aqueous humor production, and decreased outflow.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This is incorrect as open angle glaucoma is not typically associated with angle closure, which is a characteristic of angle closure glaucoma.
**Option B:** This is incorrect as open angle glaucoma is not caused by a direct injury to the eye, but rather by a gradual increase in intraocular pressure over time.
**Option C:** This is incorrect as open angle glaucoma is not typically associated with a sudden increase in intraocular pressure, but rather a gradual increase over time.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Open angle glaucoma is often asymptomatic in its early stages, making regular eye examinations crucial for early detection and treatment.
**Correct Answer: C. Increased intraocular pressure due to impaired aqueous humor drainage.**