Corneal disease: microbial 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.

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Ophthalmology · Corneal disease: microbial keratitis

Sample item

A contact-lens wearer has severe pain, photophobia, reduced vision, and a corneal infiltrate with overlying epithelial defect. What is the priority?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Urgent ophthalmic assessment for microbial keratitis

Microbial keratitis can rapidly threaten vision, especially in contact-lens wearers. Urgent ophthalmic assessment, cultures when appropriate, and intensive antimicrobial treatment are required.

Option by option

  • A. Assume allergic conjunctivitis

    Allergy causes itch and chemosis, not a corneal infiltrate.

  • B. Routine lubricants only

    Lubricants do not treat a corneal infection.

  • C. Urgent ophthalmic assessment for microbial keratitis (correct)

    Correct. Corneal infiltrate with pain and reduced vision is an emergency.

  • D. Patch the eye and review next week

    Patching may delay appropriate monitoring and therapy.

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 C, Urgent ophthalmic assessment for microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis can rapidly threaten vision, especially in contact-lens wearers.

Why is "Assume allergic conjunctivitis" not the answer?

Allergy causes itch and chemosis, not a corneal infiltrate.

Why is "Routine lubricants only" not the answer?

Lubricants do not treat a corneal infection.

Why is "Patch the eye and review next week" not the answer?

Patching may delay appropriate monitoring and therapy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Corneal disease: microbial keratitis in Ophthalmology. Urgent ophthalmic assessment, cultures when appropriate, and intensive antimicrobial treatment are required.

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 Corneal disease: microbial 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.