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.

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Ophthalmology · Glaucoma

Sample item

A 2-month-old infant has persistent watering, photophobia, blepharospasm and a hazy cornea that looks larger than normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Primary congenital glaucoma

Raised pressure in an infant's elastic eye stretches the cornea (buphthalmos) and causes tears in Descemet's membrane, called Haab's striae, with corneal oedema. The classic triad is epiphora, photophobia and blepharospasm, and treatment is surgical.

Option by option

  • A. Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

    Nasolacrimal duct obstruction causes watering with a clear cornea of normal size and without photophobia.

  • B. Primary congenital glaucoma (correct)

    Enlarged hazy cornea with the triad of epiphora, photophobia and blepharospasm indicates raised IOP.

  • C. Megalocornea

    Megalocornea has a large but clear cornea with normal pressure and no symptoms.

  • D. Congenital cataract

    Congenital cataract presents with a white pupil and not with a hazy enlarged cornea and photophobia.

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, Primary congenital glaucoma. Raised pressure in an infant's elastic eye stretches the cornea (buphthalmos) and causes tears in Descemet's membrane, called Haab's striae, with corneal oedema.

Why is "Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction" not the answer?

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction causes watering with a clear cornea of normal size and without photophobia.

Why is "Megalocornea" not the answer?

Megalocornea has a large but clear cornea with normal pressure and no symptoms.

Why is "Congenital cataract" not the answer?

Congenital cataract presents with a white pupil and not with a hazy enlarged cornea and photophobia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma in Ophthalmology. The classic triad is epiphora, photophobia and blepharospasm, and treatment is surgical.

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.