Persistent Hyperplastic Tunica Vasculosa Lentis (PHTVL) is best described as:

• A. fibrovascular remnants creating opacification of the lens capsule, cataract, and posterior lenticonus
• B. normal aging changes of the retina
• C. inflammation of the iris
• D. vascular detachment of the choroid

Answer: (A)

PHTVL occurs when the fetal tunica vasosa lentis fails to regress, leaving fibrovascular tissue associated with the posterior surface of the lens. That persistent tissue can cause opacification of the lens capsule and cataract, and it can produce posterior lenticonus, a cone-like deformation of the posterior lens capsule. This combination of a retained vascular remnant with lens involvement is distinct from other ocular processes.

The other options describe different parts of the eye or different processes entirely: aging changes of the retina, iris inflammation, or vascular detachment of the choroid do not explain a fibrovascular retrolenticular tissue causing lens opacification and posterior lenticonus.