Conjunctiva and cornea: diffuse lamellar keratitis: 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: diffuse lamellar keratitis

Sample item

On the second day after LASIK, a patient has mild photophobia and diffuse granular white haze under the flap with a clear flap periphery and no pain. Which condition is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Diffuse lamellar keratitis

Diffuse lamellar keratitis, called sands of the Sahara, is a sterile inflammation in the flap interface that appears within days of LASIK. Frequent topical steroids and, if severe, flap lifting with irrigation are used.

Option by option

  • A. Epithelial ingrowth

    Epithelial ingrowth appears weeks later as nests at the flap edge.

  • B. Infectious keratitis from Pseudomonas

    Infectious keratitis causes pain, a focal infiltrate and hypopyon.

  • C. Diffuse lamellar keratitis (correct)

    Correct. Sterile interface inflammation within days of LASIK fits diffuse lamellar keratitis.

  • D. Corneal ectasia

    Ectasia develops months to years later with progressive steepening.

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 C, Diffuse lamellar keratitis. Diffuse lamellar keratitis, called sands of the Sahara, is a sterile inflammation in the flap interface that appears within days of LASIK.

Why is "Epithelial ingrowth" not the answer?

Epithelial ingrowth appears weeks later as nests at the flap edge.

Why is "Infectious keratitis from Pseudomonas" not the answer?

Infectious keratitis causes pain, a focal infiltrate and hypopyon.

Why is "Corneal ectasia" not the answer?

Ectasia develops months to years later with progressive steepening.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: diffuse lamellar keratitis in Ophthalmology. Frequent topical steroids and, if severe, flap lifting with irrigation are used.

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: diffuse lamellar keratitis?

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.