Conjunctiva and cornea: dellen: 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 · Conjunctiva and cornea: dellen

Sample item

A week after a squint operation, a 30-year-old has a small saucer-shaped thinning of the cornea next to a raised conjunctival swelling at the limbus. Fluorescein pools in it, and the epithelium is intact over the base. What should be done?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lubricating drops and ointment with a pad

A dellen is a localised corneal dehydration from poor tear spreading next to a raised limbal lesion such as a bleb or pterygium. It resolves with lubrication and patching, which rehydrates the stroma. No surgery or anti-infective therapy is needed.

Option by option

  • A. Penetrating keratoplasty

    Keratoplasty is for scarring or perforation and is not needed for a shallow reversible dellen.

  • B. Oral antiviral therapy

    A viral keratitis would show a dendritic or geographic epithelial lesion, not an intact epithelium.

  • C. Topical antifungal therapy

    There is no infiltrate or feathery edge to suggest fungus.

  • D. Lubricating drops and ointment with a pad (correct)

    Correct. Lubrication and padding rehydrate the dry spot and it heals.

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 D, Lubricating drops and ointment with a pad. A dellen is a localised corneal dehydration from poor tear spreading next to a raised limbal lesion such as a bleb or pterygium.

Why is "Penetrating keratoplasty" not the answer?

Keratoplasty is for scarring or perforation and is not needed for a shallow reversible dellen.

Why is "Oral antiviral therapy" not the answer?

A viral keratitis would show a dendritic or geographic epithelial lesion, not an intact epithelium.

Why is "Topical antifungal therapy" not the answer?

There is no infiltrate or feathery edge to suggest fungus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: dellen in Ophthalmology. It resolves with lubrication and patching, which rehydrates the stroma. No surgery or anti-infective therapy is needed.

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: dellen?

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.