An older man has a yellowish triangular nodule near the iris. This finding is most consistent with which condition?

An older man has a yellowish triangular nodule near the iris. This finding is most consistent with which condition?

• A. A stye
• B. A chalazion
• C. A pinguecula
• D. Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Answer: (C)

This describes a pinguecula, a benign degenerative change of the conjunctiva near the cornea. It typically appears as a yellowish, slightly raised patch or wedge-shaped nodule at the limbus (the border between the cornea and sclera), often on the nasal side, and is common in older adults. The yellow coloration and location near the iris (the corneal-scleral area) fit this finding well. Styes and chalazia are eyelid lesions—styes are painful, acute infections at the eyelid margin; chalazia are usually painless nodules within the eyelid due to Meibomian gland blockage. Subconjunctival hemorrhage shows up as a bright red patch over the sclera, not a yellow nodule.

This describes a pinguecula, a benign degenerative change of the conjunctiva near the cornea. It typically appears as a yellowish, slightly raised patch or wedge-shaped nodule at the limbus (the border between the cornea and sclera), often on the nasal side, and is common in older adults. The yellow coloration and location near the iris (the corneal-scleral area) fit this finding well.

Styes and chalazia are eyelid lesions—styes are painful, acute infections at the eyelid margin; chalazia are usually painless nodules within the eyelid due to Meibomian gland blockage. Subconjunctival hemorrhage shows up as a bright red patch over the sclera, not a yellow nodule.