Conjunctiva and cornea: management of a corneal rust ring: 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: management of a corneal rust ring

Sample item

A welder had an embedded iron foreign body removed from his cornea; a brown rust ring remains at the site. What is the appropriate management?

ALeaving it permanently in placeBTopical steroids alone to dissolve itCLamellar keratoplastyDRemoval of the rust ring with an ophthalmic burr

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Removal of the rust ring with an ophthalmic burr

Iron oxidises in the corneal tissue and leaves a rust ring that may impair healing and cause necrosis. It is removed with a fine burr or needle, sometimes deferred for 24 to 48 hours if close to the visual axis.

Option by option

A. Leaving it permanently in place
Leaving iron in situ can cause persistent inflammation and delayed healing.
B. Topical steroids alone to dissolve it
Steroids do not dissolve iron and may slow epithelial healing.
C. Lamellar keratoplasty
Keratoplasty is a major procedure that is unnecessary for a superficial deposit.
D. Removal of the rust ring with an ophthalmic burr (correct)
Correct. A burr removes the rust ring and limits tissue toxicity.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Removal of the rust ring with an ophthalmic burr. Iron oxidises in the corneal tissue and leaves a rust ring that may impair healing and cause necrosis.

Why is "Leaving it permanently in place" not the answer?

Leaving iron in situ can cause persistent inflammation and delayed healing.

Why is "Topical steroids alone to dissolve it" not the answer?

Steroids do not dissolve iron and may slow epithelial healing.

Why is "Lamellar keratoplasty" not the answer?

Keratoplasty is a major procedure that is unnecessary for a superficial deposit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: management of a corneal rust ring in Ophthalmology. It is removed with a fine burr or needle, sometimes deferred for 24 to 48 hours if close to the visual axis.

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: management of a corneal rust ring?

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.