Corneal ulcer: fungal: 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 · Corneal ulcer: fungal

Sample item

A farmer with a vegetable matter injury develops a corneal ulcer with feathery margins and satellite lesions. Which drug is the first-line topical treatment for filamentous fungus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Natamycin 5 percent

Filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus and Fusarium cause these ulcers, and natamycin is the standard topical agent. Steroids worsen fungal ulcers and must be avoided.

Option by option

  • A. Acyclovir ointment

    Acyclovir is an antiviral.

  • B. Natamycin 5 percent (correct)

    Correct. Natamycin is the drug of choice for filamentous fungal keratitis.

  • C. Chlorhexidine alone

    Chlorhexidine is used for Acanthamoeba.

  • D. Moxifloxacin

    Fluoroquinolones have no antifungal action.

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, Natamycin 5 percent. Filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus and Fusarium cause these ulcers, and natamycin is the standard topical agent.

Why is "Acyclovir ointment" not the answer?

Acyclovir is an antiviral.

Why is "Chlorhexidine alone" not the answer?

Chlorhexidine is used for Acanthamoeba.

Why is "Moxifloxacin" not the answer?

Fluoroquinolones have no antifungal action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Corneal ulcer: fungal in Ophthalmology. Steroids worsen fungal ulcers and must be avoided.

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 Corneal ulcer: fungal?

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.