Sclera: episcleritis versus scleritis: 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 · Sclera: episcleritis versus scleritis

Sample item

A patient with a sectoral red eye and mild discomfort is given 10 percent phenylephrine drops and the redness blanches. The diagnosis is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Episcleritis

Episcleral vessels are superficial and blanch with phenylephrine, while deep scleral vessels do not. Episcleritis is benign, self-limiting and treated with lubricants or short courses of topical NSAIDs. Scleritis is painful, boring in character and associated with systemic disease.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior scleritis

    Anterior scleritis does not blanch and causes severe pain.

  • B. Acute angle closure

    Angle closure has a high IOP and a steamy cornea.

  • C. Posterior scleritis

    Posterior scleritis is not seen as a red eye and is painful.

  • D. Episcleritis (correct)

    Correct. Blanching shows involvement of the episcleral plexus.

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 D, Episcleritis. Episcleral vessels are superficial and blanch with phenylephrine, while deep scleral vessels do not.

Why is "Anterior scleritis" not the answer?

Anterior scleritis does not blanch and causes severe pain.

Why is "Acute angle closure" not the answer?

Angle closure has a high IOP and a steamy cornea.

Why is "Posterior scleritis" not the answer?

Posterior scleritis is not seen as a red eye and is painful.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sclera: episcleritis versus scleritis in Ophthalmology. Episcleritis is benign, self-limiting and treated with lubricants or short courses of topical NSAIDs. Scleritis is painful, boring in character and associated with systemic disease.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Sclera: episcleritis versus scleritis?

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.