Cornea: 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

Sample item

A 19-year-old with atopy and frequent eye rubbing has progressive blurring of vision. Retinoscopy shows an irregular scissoring reflex, and the lower lid shows a V-shaped indentation when he looks down. Which procedure can halt the progression of the condition?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A

Keratoconus is a progressive ectasia with conical thinning of the cornea, and signs include Munson's sign, Fleischer's ring and a scissoring retinoscopic reflex. Riboflavin with UVA cross-linking stiffens the corneal collagen and arrests progression, and rigid lenses or keratoplasty correct vision in advanced cases.

Option by option

  • A. Corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A (correct)

    Correct. Cross-linking strengthens the cornea and stops further ectasia.

  • B. Laser trabeculoplasty

    Trabeculoplasty is a glaucoma procedure.

  • C. Photorefractive keratectomy

    Surface ablation thins the cornea and is contraindicated in keratoconus.

  • D. Posterior chamber phakic lens insertion

    A phakic lens corrects refractive error and does not stop the ectasia.

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 A, Corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A. Keratoconus is a progressive ectasia with conical thinning of the cornea, and signs include Munson's sign, Fleischer's ring and a scissoring retinoscopic reflex.

Why is "Laser trabeculoplasty" not the answer?

Trabeculoplasty is a glaucoma procedure.

Why is "Photorefractive keratectomy" not the answer?

Surface ablation thins the cornea and is contraindicated in keratoconus.

Why is "Posterior chamber phakic lens insertion" not the answer?

A phakic lens corrects refractive error and does not stop the ectasia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea in Ophthalmology. Riboflavin with UVA cross-linking stiffens the corneal collagen and arrests progression, and rigid lenses or keratoplasty correct vision in advanced cases.

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?

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.