High intraocular pressure can lead to which condition that may result in blindness?

High intraocular pressure is primarily associated with glaucoma, a condition that can lead to damage of the optic nerve and potentially result in blindness. Glaucoma often develops when the fluid in the eye does not drain properly, leading to increased pressure. If left untreated, this pressure can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve fibers, impairing vision.

While other conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and retinal detachment can affect vision, they are not primarily characterized by high intraocular pressure. Macular degeneration involves the deterioration of the macula, which affects central vision, cataracts involve clouding of the lens leading to blurry vision, and retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from its underlying supportive tissue but does not directly relate to intraocular pressure. Therefore, the focus on intraocular pressure specifically highlights its significant role in the development of glaucoma and the risk of blindness associated with that condition.