What term describes the condition where the optic nerve is damaged?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that result in damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure. This condition is significant because the optic nerve is crucial for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage to this nerve can lead to vision loss or even blindness if left untreated.

In contrast, cataracts involve the clouding of the eye's lens, affecting vision but not directly damaging the optic nerve. Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, which affects how light enters the eye, but it does not involve optic nerve damage. Macular degeneration is a deterioration of the macula, a part of the retina that affects central vision, without necessarily impacting the optic nerve itself.

Understanding these distinctions clarifies why glaucoma is the correct answer, as it is specifically linked to optic nerve damage.