Glaucoma: stages of primary angle closure: 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: stages of primary angle closure

Sample item

A 55-year-old hypermetropic woman has episodes of blurred vision with coloured halos, mainly in the evening or in dim light, that settle after sleep. Between episodes her eye is quiet. Which stage of primary angle closure does this describe?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Prodromal stage

In the prodromal stage the angle closes briefly and spontaneously, giving short episodes of blurring and halos that resolve when the pupil constricts, for example during sleep. The congestive stage is the full attack with pain, a red eye and a very high pressure.

Option by option

  • A. Prodromal stage (correct)

    Correct. Brief self-limiting episodes with a quiet interval mark the prodromal stage.

  • B. Congestive stage

    The congestive stage is an established attack with severe pain, redness, corneal oedema and a fixed pupil.

  • C. Absolute stage

    The absolute stage is a blind eye with painful, very high pressure.

  • D. Post-congestive stage

    The post-congestive stage follows a treated or spontaneously settled attack, with signs such as iris atrophy.

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, Prodromal stage. In the prodromal stage the angle closes briefly and spontaneously, giving short episodes of blurring and halos that resolve when the pupil constricts, for example during sleep.

Why is "Congestive stage" not the answer?

The congestive stage is an established attack with severe pain, redness, corneal oedema and a fixed pupil.

Why is "Absolute stage" not the answer?

The absolute stage is a blind eye with painful, very high pressure.

Why is "Post-congestive stage" not the answer?

The post-congestive stage follows a treated or spontaneously settled attack, with signs such as iris atrophy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma: stages of primary angle closure in Ophthalmology. The congestive stage is the full attack with pain, a red eye and a very high pressure.

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: stages of primary angle closure?

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.