Cells affected in glaucomatous optic neuropathy are:
(A) Amacrine cells (B) Bipolar cells (C) Ganglion cells (D) Rods and cones
(C) Answer- C. Ganglion cellsGlaucoma, the second leading cause ofblindness, is characterized by changes in the optic disc and visual field defects.The elevated intraocular pressure was considered the prime factor responsible for the glaucomatous optic neuropathy involving death of retinal ganglion cellsaand their axons.Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible visual loss, is characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons over a period of many years.Mainly the ganglions cellsa are affected in glaucoma patients, which may lead to glaucomatus optic atrophy.Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is characterized by changes in the optic disc and visual field defects.The morphologic changes in the optic disc are in the form of thinning of neuro retinal rim, pallor and progressive cupping of the optic disc.The hemorrhage-associated retinal nerve fiber layer defects precede measurable changes ofthe optic disc configuration.The visual field defects in glaucoma are often detected only after 40% of the axons are loss.