What condition is characterized by vision loss due to elevated intraocular pressure?

The condition characterized by vision loss due to elevated intraocular pressure is glaucoma. This disease primarily involves an increase in intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve, which is essential for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. As the pressure builds up, it can lead to progressive vision loss and, if left untreated, can result in permanent blindness.

In glaucoma, the elevated intraocular pressure may arise from partial blockage of the eye's drainage system, leading to fluid accumulation within the eye. Consequently, this pressure can compress the optic nerve and cause cupping, which is a phenomenon where the optic nerve head begins to lose its normal contour and appearance. While optic nerve cupping can be observed in glaucoma, it is the glaucoma itself that directly leads to vision loss through the mechanism of increased intraocular pressure.

Other conditions mentioned, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve cupping, do not primarily stem from elevated intraocular pressure as their main feature. Macular degeneration primarily affects the macula, leading to central vision loss, while cataracts involve cloudiness of the lens affecting clarity of vision. Although optic nerve cupping can be a consequence of glaucoma, it is not a standalone condition causing vision loss due to intraocular