Illinois Vision Certification Practice Test

What condition is indicated by a yellowish spot indicating pus in the eyelash area?

1. Dacryocystitis

2. Hordeolum or stye

3. Pink Eye

4. Conjunctivitis

The correct answer is: Hordeolum or stye

The condition indicated by a yellowish spot that suggests the presence of pus in the eyelash area is a hordeolum, commonly known as a stye. A hordeolum is an acute infection of the glands located in the eyelid, typically due to bacteria, which results in the formation of a painful, swollen bump at the base of the eyelashes. The pus accumulation within the lesion gives it the characteristic yellowish appearance. In contrast, dacryocystitis refers to an infection of the tear sac and would typically present with swelling and redness in the inner corner of the eye, rather than localized pus at the eyelash line. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, generally involves inflammation of the conjunctiva and may present with redness, discharge, and itching, but it does not specifically manifest as a localized pus-filled bump. Similarly, conjunctivitis is a broader term that encompasses various types of eye inflammation, distinguishing it from the localized infection that occurs in a stye. Understanding these distinctions highlights the specific nature of a hordeolum as characterized by the presence of pus and its localized location at the eyelash follicle, making it the correct answer in this situation.