Cornea: interstitial keratitis: 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.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Cornea: interstitial keratitis

Sample item

A teenager with Hutchinson teeth, saddle nose and deafness presents with bilateral corneal haze with deep stromal vascularisation giving a pink patch. This is classically seen in:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Congenital syphilis

Interstitial keratitis is the commonest late ocular manifestation of congenital syphilis and appears at 5 to 15 years. The deep vessels give the salmon patch. Treatment is penicillin with topical steroids and cycloplegics.

Option by option

  • A. Congenital syphilis (correct)

    Correct. The picture is of late congenital syphilis.

  • B. Tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis can cause IK but is typically unilateral and sectoral.

  • C. Vitamin A deficiency

    Vitamin A deficiency causes xerosis and melting.

  • D. Herpes zoster

    Zoster causes dendritiform and stromal keratitis in a dermatomal setting.

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.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, Congenital syphilis. Interstitial keratitis is the commonest late ocular manifestation of congenital syphilis and appears at 5 to 15 years.

Why is "Tuberculosis" not the answer?

Tuberculosis can cause IK but is typically unilateral and sectoral.

Why is "Vitamin A deficiency" not the answer?

Vitamin A deficiency causes xerosis and melting.

Why is "Herpes zoster" not the answer?

Zoster causes dendritiform and stromal keratitis in a dermatomal setting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: interstitial keratitis in Ophthalmology. The deep vessels give the salmon patch. Treatment is penicillin with topical steroids and cycloplegics.

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: interstitial keratitis?

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.