Cornea: Descemet hydrops: 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: Descemet hydrops

Sample item

A long-standing keratoconus patient develops sudden painful loss of vision with a milky corneal oedema over the cone. This is due to:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Rupture of Descemet membrane causing acute hydrops

Acute hydrops results from a break in Descemet membrane, allowing aqueous to flood the stroma. It is managed conservatively with hypertonic saline and cycloplegics, and the oedema resolves over weeks with a scar. Vogt striae are an earlier sign of stress.

Option by option

  • A. Rupture of Descemet membrane causing acute hydrops (correct)

    Correct. Descemet rupture produces hydrops.

  • B. Acute angle closure

    Angle closure gives a mid-dilated pupil and high IOP.

  • C. Corneal graft rejection

    No graft has been done in this patient.

  • D. Herpetic stromal necrosis

    There is no herpetic history here.

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, Rupture of Descemet membrane causing acute hydrops. Acute hydrops results from a break in Descemet membrane, allowing aqueous to flood the stroma.

Why is "Acute angle closure" not the answer?

Angle closure gives a mid-dilated pupil and high IOP.

Why is "Corneal graft rejection" not the answer?

No graft has been done in this patient.

Why is "Herpetic stromal necrosis" not the answer?

There is no herpetic history here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: Descemet hydrops in Ophthalmology. It is managed conservatively with hypertonic saline and cycloplegics, and the oedema resolves over weeks with a scar. Vogt striae are an earlier sign of stress.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: Descemet hydrops?

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.