Ocular pharmacology: bisphosphonate uveitis: 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 · Ocular pharmacology: bisphosphonate uveitis

Sample item

A postmenopausal woman has a painful red eye with anterior uveitis two days after her first intravenous infusion for osteoporosis. Which drug class is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate

Intravenous nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid can cause acute uveitis and scleritis within days, through cytokine release. Treatment is with topical steroids. The other agents are not typically linked.

Option by option

  • A. Denosumab

    Denosumab is not typically linked to acute uveitis.

  • B. Teriparatide

    Teriparatide mainly causes hypercalcaemia and cramps.

  • C. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (correct)

    Correct. Bisphosphonates can precipitate uveitis soon after infusion.

  • D. Raloxifene

    Raloxifene is linked to venous thrombosis and not uveitis.

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.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is C, Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate. Intravenous nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid can cause acute uveitis and scleritis within days, through cytokine release.

Why is "Denosumab" not the answer?

Denosumab is not typically linked to acute uveitis.

Why is "Teriparatide" not the answer?

Teriparatide mainly causes hypercalcaemia and cramps.

Why is "Raloxifene" not the answer?

Raloxifene is linked to venous thrombosis and not uveitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ocular pharmacology: bisphosphonate uveitis in Ophthalmology. Treatment is with topical steroids. The other agents are not typically linked.

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 Ocular pharmacology: bisphosphonate uveitis?

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.