Papulosquamous disorders: eye protection after oral psoralen: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Papulosquamous disorders: eye protection after oral psoralen

Sample item

A patient receiving oral psoralen with UVA (PUVA) for psoriasis is advised to wear UVA-blocking glasses for the rest of the treatment day, including on the way home. What is the reason?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Psoralen remains in the lens and causes photosensitisation and cataract risk

After oral psoralen, the drug persists in tissues, including the lens, for several hours, so exposure to sunlight carries a risk of cataract. UVA-opaque glasses are worn on treatment days and during treatment sessions.

Option by option

  • A. Psoralen causes reversible blue-light blindness

    Blue-light blindness is not a recognised effect of psoralen.

  • B. UVA causes corneal ulceration within minutes

    Corneal ulceration does not occur within minutes of ordinary UVA exposure.

  • C. Psoralen causes immediate retinal haemorrhage

    Retinal haemorrhage is not a feature of psoralen exposure.

  • D. Psoralen remains in the lens and causes photosensitisation and cataract risk (correct)

    Correct. Psoralen in the lens sensitises it to UVA, raising cataract risk.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Psoralen remains in the lens and causes photosensitisation and cataract risk. After oral psoralen, the drug persists in tissues, including the lens, for several hours, so exposure to sunlight carries a risk of cataract.

Why is "Psoralen causes reversible blue-light blindness" not the answer?

Blue-light blindness is not a recognised effect of psoralen.

Why is "UVA causes corneal ulceration within minutes" not the answer?

Corneal ulceration does not occur within minutes of ordinary UVA exposure.

Why is "Psoralen causes immediate retinal haemorrhage" not the answer?

Retinal haemorrhage is not a feature of psoralen exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: eye protection after oral psoralen in Dermatology. UVA-opaque glasses are worn on treatment days and during treatment sessions.

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 Papulosquamous disorders: eye protection after oral psoralen?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.