Ocular Diseases & Conditions Flashcards

A chalazion differs from a hordeolum (stye) primarily in that a chalazion is:

Answer: A chronic, sterile, lipogranulomatous inflammation of a meibomian gland

A chalazion is a chronic, non-infectious granulomatous inflammation caused by retained meibomian gland secretions, whereas a hordeolum is an acute bacterial infection of the eyelid glands.

Episcleritis is characterized by:

Answer: Sectoral or diffuse redness of the episclera that is typically self-limiting and mild

Episcleritis is a benign, often self-limiting inflammation of the episclera presenting with sectoral or diffuse redness, mild discomfort, and no significant effect on vision or intraocular pressure.

A patient reports a sudden bright flash of light followed by a shower of new floaters. With no other symptoms, this most likely represents:

Answer: Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)

A sudden onset of photopsia and floaters, especially in patients over 50, most commonly represents a posterior vitreous detachment, a common and usually benign event, though the patient should be examined to rule out retinal tears.

Optic neuritis is most commonly associated with which systemic condition?

Answer: Multiple sclerosis

Optic neuritis, which presents as painful, unilateral vision loss with a relative afferent pupillary defect, is strongly associated with multiple sclerosis and may be the initial presenting manifestation.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) results from reactivation of which virus?

Answer: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the trigeminal ganglion after chickenpox, reactivates and affects the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is best described as:

Answer: Rupture of a small conjunctival blood vessel causing a bright red patch on the white of the eye

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is the accumulation of blood between the conjunctiva and the sclera due to rupture of a small conjunctival vessel, appearing as a bright red patch and typically resolving without treatment.

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) presents most characteristically with:

Answer: Sudden, painless, profound unilateral vision loss

CRAO presents as a sudden, painless, and severe unilateral vision loss caused by occlusion of the central retinal artery, depriving the inner retinal layers of their blood supply and resulting in rapid ischemic damage.