Conjunctiva: OSSN treatment: 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 · Conjunctiva: OSSN treatment

Sample item

A 60-year-old farmer has a gelatinous, leukoplakic, vascularised lesion at the limbus. Biopsy shows ocular surface squamous neoplasia. What is a non-surgical option?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Topical interferon alpha-2b or mitomycin C

OSSN is managed by excision with a no-touch technique and cryotherapy, or by topical chemotherapy such as mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil or interferon alpha-2b. Interferon is well tolerated with few surface side effects. Follow-up is long as recurrence is common.

Option by option

  • A. Topical antibiotics

    Antibiotics are not effective.

  • B. Systemic steroids

    Steroids do not treat neoplasia.

  • C. Observation only

    Observation risks invasive carcinoma.

  • D. Topical interferon alpha-2b or mitomycin C (correct)

    Correct. Topical interferon or mitomycin C is used for OSSN.

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 D, Topical interferon alpha-2b or mitomycin C. OSSN is managed by excision with a no-touch technique and cryotherapy, or by topical chemotherapy such as mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil or interferon alpha-2b.

Why is "Topical antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics are not effective.

Why is "Systemic steroids" not the answer?

Steroids do not treat neoplasia.

Why is "Observation only" not the answer?

Observation risks invasive carcinoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva: OSSN treatment in Ophthalmology. Interferon is well tolerated with few surface side effects. Follow-up is long as recurrence is common.

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 Conjunctiva: OSSN treatment?

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.