Glaucoma: ghost cell glaucoma: 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: ghost cell glaucoma

Sample item

Four weeks after a dense vitreous haemorrhage, a patient who has had cataract surgery develops high intraocular pressure. The anterior chamber shows khaki-coloured cells with an open angle. What is the cause?

APupillary block by posterior synechiaeBNeovascularisation of the angleCCorticosteroid effect on the meshworkDDegenerated red cells blocking the trabecular meshwork

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Degenerated red cells blocking the trabecular meshwork

Ghost cell glaucoma follows vitreous haemorrhage when degenerated, rigid khaki-coloured red cells reach the anterior chamber, through a disrupted anterior hyaloid, and clog the meshwork. The angle is open. Treatment is medical, with washout or vitrectomy if it persists.

Option by option

A. Pupillary block by posterior synechiae
Posterior synechiae produce iris bombe with a closed angle after uveitis.
B. Neovascularisation of the angle
Neovascular glaucoma follows ischaemic retinopathy and shows new vessels, not khaki cells.
C. Corticosteroid effect on the meshwork
Steroid glaucoma needs a steroid exposure and does not give khaki-coloured cells.
D. Degenerated red cells blocking the trabecular meshwork (correct)
Correct. Rigid ghost cells block the meshwork and the angle remains open.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Degenerated red cells blocking the trabecular meshwork. Ghost cell glaucoma follows vitreous haemorrhage when degenerated, rigid khaki-coloured red cells reach the anterior chamber, through a disrupted anterior hyaloid, and clog the meshwork.

Why is "Pupillary block by posterior synechiae" not the answer?

Posterior synechiae produce iris bombe with a closed angle after uveitis.

Why is "Neovascularisation of the angle" not the answer?

Neovascular glaucoma follows ischaemic retinopathy and shows new vessels, not khaki cells.

Why is "Corticosteroid effect on the meshwork" not the answer?

Steroid glaucoma needs a steroid exposure and does not give khaki-coloured cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma: ghost cell glaucoma in Ophthalmology. The angle is open. Treatment is medical, with washout or vitrectomy if it persists.

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 Glaucoma: ghost cell glaucoma?

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.