Glaucoma: 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.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Glaucoma

Sample item

A 58-year-old woman has sudden severe eye pain, halos around lights and vomiting after sitting in a dim cinema. Which ocular feature most likely predisposed her to this attack?

AA pseudophakic eye with a deep anterior chamberBA small, hypermetropic eye with a shallow anterior chamberCA long, highly myopic eye with a deep anterior chamberDCongenital aniridia

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. A small, hypermetropic eye with a shallow anterior chamber

Primary angle-closure glaucoma occurs in small hypermetropic eyes with a shallow anterior chamber and narrow angle. Mid-dilation of the pupil in dim light increases pupillary block and the peripheral iris then blocks the trabecular meshwork.

Option by option

A. A pseudophakic eye with a deep anterior chamber
A pseudophakic eye with a deep chamber has a wide open angle, which protects against angle closure.
B. A small, hypermetropic eye with a shallow anterior chamber (correct)
A crowded anterior segment promotes pupillary block and angle closure in dim light.
C. A long, highly myopic eye with a deep anterior chamber
A deep anterior chamber with a wide angle protects against angle closure.
D. Congenital aniridia
Aniridia is a cause of secondary glaucoma through angle abnormalities, not pupil block.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, A small, hypermetropic eye with a shallow anterior chamber. Primary angle-closure glaucoma occurs in small hypermetropic eyes with a shallow anterior chamber and narrow angle.

Why is "A pseudophakic eye with a deep anterior chamber" not the answer?

A pseudophakic eye with a deep chamber has a wide open angle, which protects against angle closure.

Why is "A long, highly myopic eye with a deep anterior chamber" not the answer?

A deep anterior chamber with a wide angle protects against angle closure.

Why is "Congenital aniridia" not the answer?

Aniridia is a cause of secondary glaucoma through angle abnormalities, not pupil block.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma in Ophthalmology. Mid-dilation of the pupil in dim light increases pupillary block and the peripheral iris then blocks the trabecular meshwork.

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 Glaucoma?

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.