Ace the ABO Ophthalmology Challenge 2025 – See Your Future Shine!

Untreated high intraocular pressure can lead to optic nerve damage, which is a key feature of glaucoma, a condition characterized by progressive vision loss. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. Elevated intraocular pressure exerts stress on the optic nerve fibers, which can result in their degeneration over time. This damage can cause a range of visual disturbances, primarily affecting peripheral vision initially, potentially leading to complete vision loss if not addressed.

In contrast, the other options suggest outcomes that do not align with the realities of high intraocular pressure. Increased peripheral vision is contrary to what happens with conditions like glaucoma, where peripheral vision often diminishes. Improved eye health is not a possible outcome of high intraocular pressure; rather, it suggests that pressure would need to be controlled to maintain good eye health. Similarly, unimpaired vision is often not the case, as untreated high intraocular pressure commonly results in progressive vision loss. Hence, the accurate consequence of untreated high intraocular pressure is indeed damage to the optic nerve.