Target IOP should be _____________ to the patient's unique set of risk factors and stage of disease.

• A. relative
• B. universal
• C. individualized
• D. random

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that the goal for intraocular pressure in glaucoma is tailored to each patient. In practice, clinicians set a specific IOP target that’s chosen based on how severe the disease is and what factors raise the risk of progression—things like baseline optic nerve damage, visual field loss, age, race, corneal thickness, and how likely the patient is to stick with treatment. Because these risks vary from person to person, a single universal target wouldn’t fit all patients. A higher-risk or more advanced case usually requires a lower target to slow progression, while a lower-risk case might do well with a less aggressive target. If progression occurs or treatment changes, the target can be adjusted. Universal or random targets don’t account for individual risk, which is why the correct approach is to individualize the target.