COST Ocular Pathology & Disease Recognition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Blepharitis most commonly involves chronic inflammation of which structure?
- Lacrimal gland ductules
- Meibomian glands and lid margins (Correct answer)
- Conjunctival goblet cells
- Corneal limbal stem cells
Correct answer: Meibomian glands and lid margins
Blepharitis is chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins involving the meibomian glands, eyelash follicles, and adjacent tissues, often causing dry eye and irritation.
Question 2: A chalazion differs from an internal hordeolum primarily in that it is:
- An acute bacterial infection of a lash follicle
- A chronic lipogranulomatous inflammation of a meibomian gland (Correct answer)
- A viral infection causing lid edema
- An acute allergic reaction of the conjunctiva
Correct answer: A chronic lipogranulomatous inflammation of a meibomian gland
A chalazion is a chronic, sterile lipogranulomatous inflammation caused by obstruction and rupture of a meibomian gland, unlike a hordeolum which is an acute infectious process.
Question 3: Anterior uveitis (iritis) is classically characterized by cells and flare in which compartment?
- Vitreous cavity
- Anterior chamber (Correct answer)
- Subretinal space
- Episcleral space
Correct answer: Anterior chamber
Anterior uveitis involves inflammation of the iris and ciliary body, with inflammatory cells and protein (flare) visible in the anterior chamber on slit-lamp examination.
Question 4: Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by which pathogen?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Adenovirus (Correct answer)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Correct answer: Adenovirus
Adenovirus is the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis, presenting with watery discharge, follicular reaction, and often preauricular lymphadenopathy.
Question 5: Keratoconus is best described as a condition involving:
- Central corneal flattening with increased pachymetry
- Progressive thinning and conical protrusion of the cornea (Correct answer)
- Bilateral corneal vascularization from the limbus
- Calcium deposition in Bowman's layer
Correct answer: Progressive thinning and conical protrusion of the cornea
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory ectatic disorder causing progressive corneal thinning and conical protrusion, resulting in irregular myopic astigmatism.
Question 6: Vitreous hemorrhage is most commonly a complication of which ocular condition?
- Nuclear sclerotic cataracts
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Correct answer)
- Dry age-related macular degeneration
- Primary open-angle glaucoma
Correct answer: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy involves fragile neovascularization that readily ruptures, releasing blood into the vitreous cavity.
Question 7: Esotropia is defined as which type of ocular misalignment?
- Outward (temporal) deviation of one eye
- Inward (nasal) deviation of one eye (Correct answer)
- Upward deviation of one eye
- Cyclorotational deviation of one eye
Correct answer: Inward (nasal) deviation of one eye
Esotropia refers to inward (nasal/medial) deviation of one or both eyes, commonly called convergent strabismus or 'crossed eyes.'
COST Ocular Pathology & Disease Recognition 2
Blepharitis most commonly involves chronic inflammation of which structure?