Conjunctiva and cornea: giant papillary conjunctivitis: 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: giant papillary conjunctivitis

Sample item

A man with an artificial eye has itching, ropy mucus and giant papillae on the upper tarsal conjunctiva. What is the mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Chronic mechanical irritation with an immune response to surface deposits

Giant papillary conjunctivitis follows contact lenses, prostheses and exposed sutures, through mechanical trauma and an immune response to deposits. Management is removing or polishing the irritant, with mast cell stabilisers. It is not an infection.

Option by option

  • A. Chronic mechanical irritation with an immune response to surface deposits (correct)

    Correct. Mechanical irritation plus immune response to deposits explains giant papillae.

  • B. Staphylococcal exotoxin reaction

    A staphylococcal exotoxin reaction causes marginal keratitis, not tarsal papillae.

  • C. Chlamydia trachomatis infection

    Chlamydial infection gives follicles and scarring rather than giant papillae.

  • D. Adenoviral infection

    Adenoviral conjunctivitis is acute and self-limited, with follicles and a preauricular node.

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 A, Chronic mechanical irritation with an immune response to surface deposits. Giant papillary conjunctivitis follows contact lenses, prostheses and exposed sutures, through mechanical trauma and an immune response to deposits.

Why is "Staphylococcal exotoxin reaction" not the answer?

A staphylococcal exotoxin reaction causes marginal keratitis, not tarsal papillae.

Why is "Chlamydia trachomatis infection" not the answer?

Chlamydial infection gives follicles and scarring rather than giant papillae.

Why is "Adenoviral infection" not the answer?

Adenoviral conjunctivitis is acute and self-limited, with follicles and a preauricular node.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: giant papillary conjunctivitis in Ophthalmology. Management is removing or polishing the irritant, with mast cell stabilisers. It is not an infection.

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: giant papillary conjunctivitis?

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.