Question

An old lady complains of a painful red eye that is disturbed during sleep. On examination, a small red 3mm mass is found in the limbus surrounded by blood vessels. The mass does not blanch upon application of phenylephrine. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient?

1) Pinguecula
2) Pterygium
3) Chalazion
4) Conjunctival melanoma

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis for this patient is Pterygium, a growth of tissue on the conjunctiva caused by exposure to UV light or chronic irritation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely diagnosis for this patient is Pterygium. Pterygium is a triangular-shaped growth of tissue that forms on the conjunctiva, which is the clear tissue that covers the white part of the eye. It usually occurs on the nasal side of the eye and can cause redness, irritation, and discomfort. Unlike other conditions mentioned, pterygium is commonly associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and chronic irritation from wind, dust, or dryness.

In this case, the presence of a 3mm red mass in the limbus (the area where the conjunctiva meets the cornea) surrounded by blood vessels and the absence of blanching upon application of phenylephrine indicate that the growth is most likely a pterygium.