Conjunctiva and cornea: ocular rosacea: 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 and cornea: ocular rosacea

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman with facial flushing and cheek telangiectasia has recurrent chalazia, blocked meibomian orifices, inferior corneal vascularisation and marginal infiltrates. Which treatment helps control the long-term disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Oral doxycycline

Ocular rosacea causes meibomian gland dysfunction, recurrent chalazia and marginal keratitis. Lid hygiene and a prolonged course of oral tetracycline or doxycycline, used for its anti-inflammatory effect on meibomian lipid and matrix metalloproteinases, control the disease.

Option by option

  • A. Topical natamycin

    Natamycin treats filamentous fungal keratitis, which is not the pathology here.

  • B. Long-term topical corticosteroid drops

    Long-term topical steroid risks glaucoma, cataract and infection and is only for short flares.

  • C. Oral acyclovir

    Acyclovir treats herpetic disease, which is not the cause of this picture.

  • D. Oral doxycycline (correct)

    Correct. Oral doxycycline improves meibomian function and lowers surface inflammation in rosacea.

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, Oral doxycycline. Ocular rosacea causes meibomian gland dysfunction, recurrent chalazia and marginal keratitis.

Why is "Topical natamycin" not the answer?

Natamycin treats filamentous fungal keratitis, which is not the pathology here.

Why is "Long-term topical corticosteroid drops" not the answer?

Long-term topical steroid risks glaucoma, cataract and infection and is only for short flares.

Why is "Oral acyclovir" not the answer?

Acyclovir treats herpetic disease, which is not the cause of this picture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: ocular rosacea in Ophthalmology. Lid hygiene and a prolonged course of oral tetracycline or doxycycline, used for its anti-inflammatory effect on meibomian lipid and matrix metalloproteinases, control the disease.

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 Conjunctiva and cornea: ocular rosacea?

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.