Cornea: Fuchs endothelial dystrophy: 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.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Cornea: Fuchs endothelial dystrophy

Sample item

A 60-year-old woman has morning blurring that improves through the day, with guttae seen on specular microscopy. Which procedure restores vision when the cornea decompensates?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Endothelial keratoplasty such as DSAEK or DMEK

Fuchs dystrophy is a degeneration of endothelial cells with guttae and stromal oedema, which is worse in the morning because of lid closure at night. Selective endothelial keratoplasty replaces the diseased layer.

Option by option

  • A. Scleral buckling

    Scleral buckling is a retinal procedure.

  • B. Photorefractive keratectomy

    PRK treats refractive error and not endothelial failure.

  • C. Endothelial keratoplasty such as DSAEK or DMEK (correct)

    Correct. Endothelial keratoplasty replaces the failed endothelium.

  • D. Pterygium excision

    Pterygium excision does not treat endothelial dystrophy.

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.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is C, Endothelial keratoplasty such as DSAEK or DMEK. Fuchs dystrophy is a degeneration of endothelial cells with guttae and stromal oedema, which is worse in the morning because of lid closure at night.

Why is "Scleral buckling" not the answer?

Scleral buckling is a retinal procedure.

Why is "Photorefractive keratectomy" not the answer?

PRK treats refractive error and not endothelial failure.

Why is "Pterygium excision" not the answer?

Pterygium excision does not treat endothelial dystrophy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: Fuchs endothelial dystrophy in Ophthalmology. Selective endothelial keratoplasty replaces the diseased layer.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: Fuchs endothelial dystrophy?

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.