Glaucoma: uveitic glaucoma and drug choice: 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: uveitic glaucoma and drug choice

Sample item

A patient with active HLA-B27 anterior uveitis has an intraocular pressure of 34 mmHg and early posterior synechiae. Which antiglaucoma drug is best avoided?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pilocarpine

In uveitic glaucoma aqueous suppressants are preferred. Miotics such as pilocarpine increase posterior synechiae by keeping the pupil small and break down the blood-aqueous barrier further, and prostaglandin analogues are also used cautiously because they may aggravate inflammation.

Option by option

  • A. Pilocarpine (correct)

    Correct. Pilocarpine constricts the pupil, promotes synechiae and worsens inflammation.

  • B. Dorzolamide

    Dorzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that suppresses aqueous and is appropriate.

  • C. Timolol

    Timolol lowers aqueous production and does not promote synechiae.

  • D. Brimonidine

    Brimonidine lowers aqueous production and increases uveoscleral outflow and can be used.

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 A, Pilocarpine. In uveitic glaucoma aqueous suppressants are preferred.

Why is "Dorzolamide" not the answer?

Dorzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that suppresses aqueous and is appropriate.

Why is "Timolol" not the answer?

Timolol lowers aqueous production and does not promote synechiae.

Why is "Brimonidine" not the answer?

Brimonidine lowers aqueous production and increases uveoscleral outflow and can be used.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma: uveitic glaucoma and drug choice in Ophthalmology. Miotics such as pilocarpine increase posterior synechiae by keeping the pupil small and break down the blood-aqueous barrier further, and prostaglandin analogues are also used cautiously because they may aggravate inflammation.

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: uveitic glaucoma and drug choice?

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.