What condition results in progressive atrophy of optic nerve cells, peripheral vision deficits, and is usually painless?

The condition characterized by progressive atrophy of optic nerve cells, accompanied by deficits in peripheral vision and typically painless is glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that lead to damage of the optic nerve, which is often related to increased intraocular pressure. This condition can result in a gradual loss of peripheral vision and, if left untreated, can progress to complete blindness.

Since the atrophy of the optic nerve and peripheral vision loss is central to the diagnosis, glaucoma stands out because these symptoms match the question's description more closely than the other conditions listed. While retinitis pigmentosa does affect peripheral vision and involves retinal cell degeneration, it typically presents differently and has a genetic origin. Cataracts primarily cause blurred vision due to clouding of the lens, while macular degeneration usually affects central vision rather than peripheral vision. Each of these other conditions impacts vision but does not specifically involve the optic nerve's atrophy or painless peripheral vision loss in the same way that glaucoma does.