A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has glaucoma. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A rationale Aqueous humor is produced by the ciliary body and must drain through the trabecular meshwork. In glaucoma, the pathology is not inadequate production but rather impaired drainage or excessive production that exceeds the eye's drainage capacity. This imbalance leads to an increase in intraocular pressure, which eventually compresses the optic nerve fibers. The normal intraocular pressure range is typically 10 to 21 mmHg. Explaining this helps the client understand the obstructive nature of the disease. Choice B rationale Medication adherence is vital in managing glaucoma because the elevation in intraocular pressure is a continuous process. Most ophthalmic drops for glaucoma, such as beta blockers or prostaglandin analogs, require daily administration, often once or twice every twenty-four hours, to maintain a consistent therapeutic level. Instructing a client to use drops only once a week would lead to uncontrolled pressure spikes, resulting in irreversible damage to the retinal ganglion cells and progressive vision loss. Choice C rationale Diplopia, or double vision, is usually associated with extraocular muscle weakness, cranial nerve palsies, or corneal abnormalities rather than glaucoma. Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight because it is frequently asymptomatic in the early stages. As it progresses, it typically causes a loss of peripheral vision, leading to tunnel vision. If symptoms like halos around lights or ocular pain occur, it often indicates a rapid rise in pressure, such as in acute angle-closure. Choice D rationale Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide if left untreated. The elevated intraocular pressure causes mechanical compression and ischemia of the optic nerve head. Over time, this leads to the death of retinal ganglion cells. Because these neurons do not regenerate, the vision loss is permanent. Early detection and consistent treatment to lower intraocular pressure are the only ways to prevent the progression from mild visual field defects to total loss of sight.