Uvea: risk factors for choroidal nevus growth: 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 · Uvea: risk factors for choroidal nevus growth

Sample item

On review of a choroidal naevus, which finding most strongly suggests malignant transformation to melanoma?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Orange pigment on the surface of the lesion

Surface orange pigment is lipofuscin and indicates active tumour. Other risk factors are thickness above 2 mm, subretinal fluid, symptoms and a margin touching the disc. Drusen and a halo suggest a long-standing benign lesion.

Option by option

  • A. Orange pigment on the surface of the lesion (correct)

    Correct. Orange pigment is lipofuscin, a feature of active melanoma growth.

  • B. A surrounding depigmented halo

    A depigmented halo around a flat lesion is a benign feature.

  • C. Overlying drusen

    Overlying drusen suggest a chronic, benign lesion.

  • D. A flat lesion of 3 mm diameter

    A flat, small lesion on its own is low-risk.

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.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, Orange pigment on the surface of the lesion. Surface orange pigment is lipofuscin and indicates active tumour.

Why is "A surrounding depigmented halo" not the answer?

A depigmented halo around a flat lesion is a benign feature.

Why is "Overlying drusen" not the answer?

Overlying drusen suggest a chronic, benign lesion.

Why is "A flat lesion of 3 mm diameter" not the answer?

A flat, small lesion on its own is low-risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Uvea: risk factors for choroidal nevus growth in Ophthalmology. Other risk factors are thickness above 2 mm, subretinal fluid, symptoms and a margin touching the disc. Drusen and a halo suggest a long-standing benign lesion.

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 Uvea: risk factors for choroidal nevus growth?

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.