Conjunctiva and cornea: symblepharon: 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 · Conjunctiva and cornea: symblepharon

Sample item

Three weeks after a lime splash to one eye, a labourer finds that the lower fornix is shortened, the eye cannot look down fully, and a band joins the inner lid to the eyeball. What is this complication?

ADistichiasisBSymblepharonCAnkyloblepharonDBlepharophimosis

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Symblepharon

Symblepharon is adhesion between the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, which follows chemical burns, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. It shortens fornices and limits movement. Prevention in the acute stage uses a glass rod sweep or a symblepharon ring.

Option by option

A. Distichiasis
Distichiasis is an extra row of lashes from the meibomian orifices.
B. Symblepharon (correct)
Correct. Raw conjunctival surfaces heal together, giving a lid to globe band.
C. Ankyloblepharon
Ankyloblepharon is adhesion of the lid margins to each other, not lid to globe.
D. Blepharophimosis
Blepharophimosis is a congenital narrowing of the palpebral fissure.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Symblepharon. Symblepharon is adhesion between the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, which follows chemical burns, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Why is "Distichiasis" not the answer?

Distichiasis is an extra row of lashes from the meibomian orifices.

Why is "Ankyloblepharon" not the answer?

Ankyloblepharon is adhesion of the lid margins to each other, not lid to globe.

Why is "Blepharophimosis" not the answer?

Blepharophimosis is a congenital narrowing of the palpebral fissure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: symblepharon in Ophthalmology. It shortens fornices and limits movement. Prevention in the acute stage uses a glass rod sweep or a symblepharon ring.

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 Conjunctiva and cornea: symblepharon?

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.