Cornea: choice of keratoplasty: 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: choice of keratoplasty

Sample item

A patient has keratoconus with scarring but a healthy endothelium. Which keratoplasty technique preserves the host endothelium?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

DALK replaces the stroma and keeps the host Descemet membrane and endothelium, avoiding endothelial rejection. DMEK and DSAEK replace only the endothelium for endothelial disease. Penetrating keratoplasty replaces all layers.

Option by option

  • A. Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

    DSAEK replaces the endothelium with stromal support.

  • B. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (correct)

    Correct. DALK preserves the host endothelium.

  • C. Penetrating keratoplasty

    PK replaces full thickness, including the endothelium.

  • D. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty

    DMEK replaces the endothelium and Descemet membrane, not the stroma.

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 B, Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. DALK replaces the stroma and keeps the host Descemet membrane and endothelium, avoiding endothelial rejection.

Why is "Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty" not the answer?

DSAEK replaces the endothelium with stromal support.

Why is "Penetrating keratoplasty" not the answer?

PK replaces full thickness, including the endothelium.

Why is "Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty" not the answer?

DMEK replaces the endothelium and Descemet membrane, not the stroma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: choice of keratoplasty in Ophthalmology. DMEK and DSAEK replace only the endothelium for endothelial disease. Penetrating keratoplasty replaces all layers.

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: choice of keratoplasty?

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.