Conjunctiva and cornea: ophthalmia nodosa: 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: ophthalmia nodosa

Sample item

A 9-year-old boy plays with hairy caterpillars in a garden. The next day his eye is red and irritable, with multiple small grey-yellow conjunctival nodules and fine barbed hairs visible on the slit lamp. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ophthalmia nodosa

Ophthalmia nodosa is a granulomatous reaction to caterpillar or tarantula hairs lodged in the conjunctiva or cornea. Hairs can migrate inward, so they are removed and inflammation is controlled with topical steroid.

Option by option

  • A. Ophthalmia nodosa (correct)

    Correct. Barbed hairs from caterpillars provoke a nodular granulomatous reaction.

  • B. Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis

    Phlyctenulosis gives limbal nodules from hypersensitivity to bacterial antigens, with no embedded hairs.

  • C. Trachoma

    Trachoma presents with follicles, pannus and tarsal scarring from chlamydial infection.

  • D. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

    Vernal disease gives giant papillae and limbal Horner-Trantas dots with severe itching.

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, Ophthalmia nodosa. Ophthalmia nodosa is a granulomatous reaction to caterpillar or tarantula hairs lodged in the conjunctiva or cornea.

Why is "Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis" not the answer?

Phlyctenulosis gives limbal nodules from hypersensitivity to bacterial antigens, with no embedded hairs.

Why is "Trachoma" not the answer?

Trachoma presents with follicles, pannus and tarsal scarring from chlamydial infection.

Why is "Vernal keratoconjunctivitis" not the answer?

Vernal disease gives giant papillae and limbal Horner-Trantas dots with severe itching.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: ophthalmia nodosa in Ophthalmology. Hairs can migrate inward, so they are removed and inflammation is controlled with topical steroid.

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: ophthalmia nodosa?

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.