Conjunctiva and cornea: recurrent corneal erosion: 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: recurrent corneal erosion

Sample item

A man scratched his eye with a fingernail two months ago. Since then he wakes with sudden severe pain, watering and photophobia in the same eye, which settles by midday. Between episodes the eye looks normal. What is the best first measure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lubricating ointment at bedtime for several months

In recurrent corneal erosion the epithelium adheres poorly to Bowman layer and tears open when the lids are opened after sleep. Bedtime lubricating ointment for months allows hemidesmosomes to reform. Anterior stromal puncture or phototherapeutic keratectomy is for failures.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate corneal graft

    A graft is a drastic step for a superficial adhesion problem.

  • B. Intravenous antibiotics

    The eye is quiet between episodes and no systemic infection is present.

  • C. Lubricating ointment at bedtime for several months (correct)

    Correct. Bedtime ointment protects the fragile epithelium during sleep.

  • D. Topical corticosteroid drops

    Steroids do not fix the adhesion defect and delay epithelial healing.

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 C, Lubricating ointment at bedtime for several months. In recurrent corneal erosion the epithelium adheres poorly to Bowman layer and tears open when the lids are opened after sleep.

Why is "Immediate corneal graft" not the answer?

A graft is a drastic step for a superficial adhesion problem.

Why is "Intravenous antibiotics" not the answer?

The eye is quiet between episodes and no systemic infection is present.

Why is "Topical corticosteroid drops" not the answer?

Steroids do not fix the adhesion defect and delay epithelial healing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: recurrent corneal erosion in Ophthalmology. Bedtime lubricating ointment for months allows hemidesmosomes to reform. Anterior stromal puncture or phototherapeutic keratectomy is for failures.

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: recurrent corneal erosion?

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.