What often accompanies the optic disc cupping seen in chronic glaucoma?

Optic disc cupping is a key sign of chronic glaucoma, characterized by the progressive excavation of the optic nerve head due to increased intraocular pressure. When glaucoma becomes chronic, the elevated pressure can lead to damage of the retinal nerve fibers, resulting in retinal degeneration. This degeneration can manifest as a loss of visual function and alterations in the structure of the retina.

In the context of chronic glaucoma, it is not merely the cupping of the optic disc that is observed; rather, the degeneration of retinal tissue that occurs concurrently is significant. The loss of ganglion cells leads to an impaired transmission of visual information to the brain, which is compounded by the cupping of the disc due to the optic nerve head damage. This process is essential to understand as it highlights the relationship between optic disc appearance and underlying retinal health.

The other options do not directly correlate with the effects of chronic glaucoma on the optic disc. Increased aqueous humor production is typically not a hallmark of chronic glaucoma, as it more commonly results from reduced outflow. Corneal abrasions and heavy eyelid drooping may occur in other ocular conditions but are not directly linked to optic disc cupping or the retinal changes observed in chronic glaucoma.