Conjunctiva and cornea: preventing herpetic recurrence: 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: preventing herpetic recurrence

Sample item

A man has had four attacks of herpes simplex keratitis in the same eye in two years. Which long-term measure reduces the chance of further recurrences?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Prophylactic oral acyclovir

Long-term oral acyclovir prophylaxis roughly halves the rate of recurrent herpetic eye disease, as shown in controlled trials. Steroids are used only with antiviral cover for stromal disease and do not prevent recurrence. Surgery is for scars, not prevention.

Option by option

  • A. Repeated corneal debridement

    Debridement is used for dendritic ulcers and does not lower future recurrence.

  • B. Prophylactic penetrating keratoplasty

    Keratoplasty is a rehabilitative step for scars and raises graft rejection risk without preventing attacks.

  • C. Prophylactic oral acyclovir (correct)

    Correct. Prophylactic oral acyclovir suppresses viral reactivation and lowers recurrence.

  • D. Long-term low-dose topical corticosteroid

    Maintenance topical steroid does not prevent recurrence and risks viral replication and thinning.

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, Prophylactic oral acyclovir. Long-term oral acyclovir prophylaxis roughly halves the rate of recurrent herpetic eye disease, as shown in controlled trials.

Why is "Repeated corneal debridement" not the answer?

Debridement is used for dendritic ulcers and does not lower future recurrence.

Why is "Prophylactic penetrating keratoplasty" not the answer?

Keratoplasty is a rehabilitative step for scars and raises graft rejection risk without preventing attacks.

Why is "Long-term low-dose topical corticosteroid" not the answer?

Maintenance topical steroid does not prevent recurrence and risks viral replication and thinning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: preventing herpetic recurrence in Ophthalmology. Steroids are used only with antiviral cover for stromal disease and do not prevent recurrence. Surgery is for scars, not prevention.

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: preventing herpetic recurrence?

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.