Cornea: geographic ulcer: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Cornea: geographic ulcer

Sample item

A patient with dendritic herpetic keratitis was given topical steroids by a local practitioner and the ulcer enlarged to a large map-like lesion with smooth borders. This is called:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Geographic ulcer

A geographic or amoeboid ulcer is a large epithelial defect in herpetic keratitis worsened by steroids that permit viral replication. Steroids should be stopped and antiviral therapy given. A metaherpetic ulcer is a sterile trophic ulcer after viral clearance.

Option by option

  • A. Geographic ulcer (correct)

    Correct. The steroid-modified ulcer takes a geographic shape.

  • B. Disciform keratitis

    Disciform keratitis is a stromal disease with an intact epithelium.

  • C. Metaherpetic ulcer

    A metaherpetic ulcer is sterile, with smooth rolled edges, after the virus has gone.

  • D. Marginal ulcer

    A marginal ulcer is staphylococcal and located at the limbus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, Geographic ulcer. A geographic or amoeboid ulcer is a large epithelial defect in herpetic keratitis worsened by steroids that permit viral replication.

Why is "Disciform keratitis" not the answer?

Disciform keratitis is a stromal disease with an intact epithelium.

Why is "Metaherpetic ulcer" not the answer?

A metaherpetic ulcer is sterile, with smooth rolled edges, after the virus has gone.

Why is "Marginal ulcer" not the answer?

A marginal ulcer is staphylococcal and located at the limbus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: geographic ulcer in Ophthalmology. Steroids should be stopped and antiviral therapy given. A metaherpetic ulcer is a sterile trophic ulcer after viral clearance.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cornea: geographic ulcer?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.