Cornea: Mooren ulcer: 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: Mooren ulcer

Sample item

A middle-aged patient has a painful peripheral crescentic ulcer with an overhanging undermined edge and no scleral inflammation. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Mooren's ulcer

Mooren's ulcer is a chronic painful autoimmune peripheral ulcerative keratitis progressing circumferentially and centrally. Unlike other peripheral ulcers it is not associated with scleritis or systemic disease.

Option by option

  • A. Phlyctenule

    A phlyctenule is a small nodule.

  • B. Mooren's ulcer (correct)

    Correct. This is the characteristic description.

  • C. Marginal catarrhal ulcer

    Marginal ulcers have a clear lucid interval from the limbus and are less painful.

  • D. Dendritic ulcer

    Dendritic ulcers occur centrally with terminal bulbs.

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, Mooren's ulcer. Mooren's ulcer is a chronic painful autoimmune peripheral ulcerative keratitis progressing circumferentially and centrally.

Why is "Phlyctenule" not the answer?

A phlyctenule is a small nodule.

Why is "Marginal catarrhal ulcer" not the answer?

Marginal ulcers have a clear lucid interval from the limbus and are less painful.

Why is "Dendritic ulcer" not the answer?

Dendritic ulcers occur centrally with terminal bulbs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: Mooren ulcer in Ophthalmology. Unlike other peripheral ulcers it is not associated with scleritis or systemic disease.

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: Mooren ulcer?

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.