Glaucoma: Sampaolesi line: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Glaucoma: Sampaolesi line

Sample item

A 70-year-old with high intraocular pressure has a wavy line of brown pigment anterior to Schwalbe line on gonioscopy, and the pupil dilates poorly. Which condition is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome

The Sampaolesi line, a wavy pigmented band on or anterior to Schwalbe line, together with a poorly dilating pupil, points to pseudoexfoliation. Pigment dispersion causes a dense homogeneous band in the posterior trabecular meshwork in young myopic patients.

Option by option

  • A. Pigment dispersion syndrome

    Pigment dispersion occurs in young myopes and gives a dense uniform band at the posterior meshwork.

  • B. Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

    Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome shows peripheral anterior synechiae and iris atrophy in younger women.

  • C. Angle-recession glaucoma

    Angle recession shows a widened ciliary body band after trauma and not a wavy line anterior to Schwalbe line.

  • D. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (correct)

    Correct. A wavy Sampaolesi line and poor dilation of the pupil are typical of pseudoexfoliation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Pseudoexfoliation syndrome. The Sampaolesi line, a wavy pigmented band on or anterior to Schwalbe line, together with a poorly dilating pupil, points to pseudoexfoliation.

Why is "Pigment dispersion syndrome" not the answer?

Pigment dispersion occurs in young myopes and gives a dense uniform band at the posterior meshwork.

Why is "Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome" not the answer?

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome shows peripheral anterior synechiae and iris atrophy in younger women.

Why is "Angle-recession glaucoma" not the answer?

Angle recession shows a widened ciliary body band after trauma and not a wavy line anterior to Schwalbe line.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma: Sampaolesi line in Ophthalmology. Pigment dispersion causes a dense homogeneous band in the posterior trabecular meshwork in young myopic patients.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Glaucoma: Sampaolesi line?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.