Retina: angioid streaks: 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 · Retina: angioid streaks

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman has leathery, plucked-chicken-like skin folds at the neck and axillae and reduced central vision. Fundus shows dark irregular lines radiating from the optic disc, with a choroidal neovascular membrane. Which condition is associated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Angioid streaks are cracks in a calcified Bruch membrane and are classically associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, also with Paget disease, sickle cell disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The danger is choroidal neovascularisation, treated with anti-VEGF. Skin folds with a plucked chicken appearance are the clue.

Option by option

  • A. Sturge-Weber syndrome

    Sturge-Weber syndrome causes choroidal haemangioma and glaucoma.

  • B. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (correct)

    Correct. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is the classic association.

  • C. Marfan syndrome

    Marfan syndrome causes ectopia lentis and myopia, not angioid streaks.

  • D. Neurofibromatosis type 1

    Neurofibromatosis causes Lisch nodules and optic glioma.

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 B, Pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Angioid streaks are cracks in a calcified Bruch membrane and are classically associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, also with Paget disease, sickle cell disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Why is "Sturge-Weber syndrome" not the answer?

Sturge-Weber syndrome causes choroidal haemangioma and glaucoma.

Why is "Marfan syndrome" not the answer?

Marfan syndrome causes ectopia lentis and myopia, not angioid streaks.

Why is "Neurofibromatosis type 1" not the answer?

Neurofibromatosis causes Lisch nodules and optic glioma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: angioid streaks in Ophthalmology. The danger is choroidal neovascularisation, treated with anti-VEGF. Skin folds with a plucked chicken appearance are the clue.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Retina: angioid streaks?

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.