Conjunctiva and cornea: keratitis after LASIK: 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: keratitis after LASIK

Sample item

Three weeks after LASIK, a patient has multiple small grey-white indolent infiltrates in the flap interface that worsen despite a fluoroquinolone. Which organism class is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria

Late-onset interface infiltrates after LASIK that resist fluoroquinolones suggest atypical mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium chelonae. Diagnosis needs smears and cultures on special media, and treatment uses amikacin or clarithromycin with flap lifting. Pseudomonas would progress within days and respond to fluoroquinolones.

Option by option

  • A. Herpes simplex virus

    Herpes simplex gives dendritic or stromal disease, not multiple interface granules.

  • B. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (correct)

    Correct. Indolent late infiltrates unresponsive to fluoroquinolones point to atypical mycobacteria.

  • C. Acanthamoeba

    Acanthamoeba follows water exposure with severe pain and ring infiltrates.

  • D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    Pseudomonas progresses rapidly over days with liquefaction and usually responds to a fluoroquinolone.

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 B, Non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Late-onset interface infiltrates after LASIK that resist fluoroquinolones suggest atypical mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium chelonae.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus" not the answer?

Herpes simplex gives dendritic or stromal disease, not multiple interface granules.

Why is "Acanthamoeba" not the answer?

Acanthamoeba follows water exposure with severe pain and ring infiltrates.

Why is "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" not the answer?

Pseudomonas progresses rapidly over days with liquefaction and usually responds to a fluoroquinolone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: keratitis after LASIK in Ophthalmology. Diagnosis needs smears and cultures on special media, and treatment uses amikacin or clarithromycin with flap lifting. Pseudomonas would progress within days and respond to fluoroquinolones.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: keratitis after LASIK?

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.