Red eye: conjunctivitis: 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 · Red eye: conjunctivitis

Sample item

A patient has bilateral itchy red eyes with watery discharge and chemosis during pollen season. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis causes bilateral itch, tearing, conjunctival edema, and seasonal symptoms. Pain, photophobia, or reduced vision should prompt consideration of more serious alternatives.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior uveitis

    Uveitis causes deep pain and consensual photophobia.

  • B. Allergic conjunctivitis (correct)

    Correct. Itch is the key symptom of allergic conjunctivitis.

  • C. Acute angle-closure glaucoma

    Angle closure causes severe pain, nausea, and a fixed mid-dilated pupil.

  • D. Bacterial keratitis

    Keratitis causes pain, photophobia, and corneal abnormality.

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, Allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis causes bilateral itch, tearing, conjunctival edema, and seasonal symptoms.

Why is "Anterior uveitis" not the answer?

Uveitis causes deep pain and consensual photophobia.

Why is "Acute angle-closure glaucoma" not the answer?

Angle closure causes severe pain, nausea, and a fixed mid-dilated pupil.

Why is "Bacterial keratitis" not the answer?

Keratitis causes pain, photophobia, and corneal abnormality.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Red eye: conjunctivitis in Ophthalmology. Pain, photophobia, or reduced vision should prompt consideration of more serious alternatives.

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 Red eye: conjunctivitis?

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.