American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

The characteristic finding on physical examination of uveitis includes:

1. Pupil constriction

2. Ciliary flush around the cornea

3. Corneal scarring

4. Vein occlusion

The correct answer is: Ciliary flush around the cornea

The characteristic finding on physical examination of uveitis is ciliary flush around the cornea. Ciliary flush, also known as conjunctival injection, is the presence of a red or inflamed ring of blood vessels at the limbus (the border between the cornea and the sclera). This finding is indicative of inflammation within the uveal tract, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Uveitis can lead to pain, photophobia, and decreased visual acuity, and the ciliary flush reflects the associated vasodilation and inflammation. In contrast, pupil constriction (also known as miosis) can occur in some conditions affecting the eye, but it is not a definitive sign of uveitis. Corneal scarring refers to damage and opacity of the cornea, which is not a characteristic finding of uveitis itself, though can occur due to other eye conditions. Vein occlusion pertains to vascular issues within the eye and is also not related to the direct inflammation typical of uveitis. Therefore, ciliary flush is the most specific and characteristic finding in cases of uveitis.