Which finding is typical of glaucoma?

• A. Aqueous flare and miosis with anterior chamber inflammation
• B. Normal intraocular pressure with optic disc pallor
• C. Elevated intraocular pressure and optic nerve cupping
• D. Decreased tear production with conjunctival injection

Answer: (C)

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy caused by elevated intraocular pressure from reduced drainage of aqueous humor. The sustained high pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to excavation, or cupping, of the optic nerve head. That combination—elevated intraocular pressure with optic nerve cupping—is the typical finding you’d expect. Other signs described are more indicative of different eye diseases: inflammation in the anterior chamber suggests uveitis; normal pressure with disc pallor can occur with other optic neuropathies but isn’t the classic glaucoma picture; and tearing with conjunctival injection points to dry eye or conjunctivitis.