Cataract surgery: endophthalmitis: 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 · Cataract surgery: endophthalmitis

Sample item

A patient develops pain, hypopyon and marked visual loss 3 days after cataract surgery. Which is the most important next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Vitreous tap with intravitreal antibiotics

Acute postoperative endophthalmitis is an emergency, most often due to coagulase-negative staphylococci. Sampling and intravitreal vancomycin with ceftazidime are standard, with vitrectomy when vision is only light perception.

Option by option

  • A. Topical steroids and observation

    Steroids alone would permit the infection to spread.

  • B. Vitreous tap with intravitreal antibiotics (correct)

    Correct. Prompt intravitreal antibiotics save vision.

  • C. Oral analgesics

    Analgesics do not treat infection.

  • D. Repeat IOP check in a week

    A delay of a week would be dangerous.

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 B, Vitreous tap with intravitreal antibiotics. Acute postoperative endophthalmitis is an emergency, most often due to coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Why is "Topical steroids and observation" not the answer?

Steroids alone would permit the infection to spread.

Why is "Oral analgesics" not the answer?

Analgesics do not treat infection.

Why is "Repeat IOP check in a week" not the answer?

A delay of a week would be dangerous.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cataract surgery: endophthalmitis in Ophthalmology. Sampling and intravitreal vancomycin with ceftazidime are standard, with vitrectomy when vision is only light perception.

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 Cataract surgery: endophthalmitis?

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.