Cornea: transparency: 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 · Cornea: transparency

Sample item

Which mechanism is chiefly responsible for keeping the normal cornea clear?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Relative dehydration maintained by the endothelial pump

The stroma stays relatively dehydrated because the endothelium pumps fluid out using Na-K ATPase, and because collagen fibrils are regularly arranged. Endothelial failure produces stromal oedema and haze.

Option by option

  • A. Thick Bowman's layer that scatters no light

    Bowman's layer does not control clarity and does not regenerate.

  • B. High water content of the epithelium

    Epithelium acts as a barrier and does not drive deturgescence.

  • C. Abundant blood vessels supplying the stroma

    The normal cornea is avascular, and vessels would reduce clarity.

  • D. Relative dehydration maintained by the endothelial pump (correct)

    Correct. Endothelial pump function keeps the stroma at about 78 percent water and transparent.

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, Relative dehydration maintained by the endothelial pump. The stroma stays relatively dehydrated because the endothelium pumps fluid out using Na-K ATPase, and because collagen fibrils are regularly arranged.

Why is "Thick Bowman's layer that scatters no light" not the answer?

Bowman's layer does not control clarity and does not regenerate.

Why is "High water content of the epithelium" not the answer?

Epithelium acts as a barrier and does not drive deturgescence.

Why is "Abundant blood vessels supplying the stroma" not the answer?

The normal cornea is avascular, and vessels would reduce clarity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: transparency in Ophthalmology. Endothelial failure produces stromal oedema and haze.

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 Cornea: transparency?

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.