Eyelid: 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 · Eyelid

Sample item

A 30-year-old has a painless, firm, round swelling in the upper lid, away from the lid margin, that has persisted for two months after an earlier tender lump settled. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Chalazion

A chalazion is chronic lipogranulomatous inflammation of a meibomian gland caused by retained secretions. It is painless and located within the tarsal plate away from the margin. Persistent lesions are treated by incision and curettage through the conjunctival side, while a stye is an acute painful infection of the gland of Zeis at the margin.

Option by option

  • A. Basal cell carcinoma

    Basal cell carcinoma has a pearly edge with ulceration or loss of lashes and is less likely in a young patient with this history.

  • B. Chalazion (correct)

    Correct. Painless, firm, chronic and tarsal in position are typical.

  • C. External hordeolum

    An external hordeolum is acutely painful and sits at the lid margin.

  • D. Molluscum contagiosum

    Molluscum shows small umbilicated lesions usually at the lid margin.

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 B, Chalazion. A chalazion is chronic lipogranulomatous inflammation of a meibomian gland caused by retained secretions.

Why is "Basal cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Basal cell carcinoma has a pearly edge with ulceration or loss of lashes and is less likely in a young patient with this history.

Why is "External hordeolum" not the answer?

An external hordeolum is acutely painful and sits at the lid margin.

Why is "Molluscum contagiosum" not the answer?

Molluscum shows small umbilicated lesions usually at the lid margin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eyelid in Ophthalmology. It is painless and located within the tarsal plate away from the margin. Persistent lesions are treated by incision and curettage through the conjunctival side, while a stye is an acute painful infection of the gland of Zeis at the margin.

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 Eyelid?

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.