Community ophthalmology: corneal xerosis stage: 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 · Community ophthalmology: corneal xerosis stage

Sample item

A malnourished 3-year-old with measles has a dry, hazy, lustreless cornea with no ulcer, along with night blindness. According to the WHO xerophthalmia classification, which stage is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. X2, corneal xerosis

In the WHO classification, X2 denotes corneal xerosis, a dry, dull, hazy cornea without ulcer. X3A and X3B denote ulceration or keratomalacia under or over one third of the cornea. This stage is an emergency, as treatment with vitamin A can still reverse it.

Option by option

  • A. X3B, keratomalacia over one third

    X3B involves ulceration or necrosis of more than a third of the cornea.

  • B. X2, corneal xerosis (correct)

    Correct. A dry, hazy cornea without ulcer is X2, corneal xerosis.

  • C. X1A, conjunctival xerosis

    X1A is dryness of the conjunctiva with a normal cornea.

  • D. XN, night blindness only

    XN is night blindness with no corneal change.

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 B, X2, corneal xerosis. In the WHO classification, X2 denotes corneal xerosis, a dry, dull, hazy cornea without ulcer.

Why is "X3B, keratomalacia over one third" not the answer?

X3B involves ulceration or necrosis of more than a third of the cornea.

Why is "X1A, conjunctival xerosis" not the answer?

X1A is dryness of the conjunctiva with a normal cornea.

Why is "XN, night blindness only" not the answer?

XN is night blindness with no corneal change.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community ophthalmology: corneal xerosis stage in Ophthalmology. X3A and X3B denote ulceration or keratomalacia under or over one third of the cornea. This stage is an emergency, as treatment with vitamin A can still reverse it.

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 Community ophthalmology: corneal xerosis stage?

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.