Lens and cataract: retained viscoelastic: 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 · Lens and cataract: retained viscoelastic

Sample item

On the first morning after uneventful phacoemulsification, a patient has headache, a hazy cornea and IOP of 38 mmHg. The anterior chamber is deep with minimal cells, and the angle is open. What is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Retained viscoelastic blocking the trabecular meshwork

Residual ophthalmic viscosurgical device raises IOP in the first hours after surgery by obstructing outflow. It settles with aqueous suppressants, occasionally with chamber washout. A deep chamber with open angle and no inflammation argues against block or infection.

Option by option

  • A. Retained viscoelastic blocking the trabecular meshwork (correct)

    Correct. Retained viscoelastic obstructs the meshwork and causes an early deep-chamber pressure spike.

  • B. Pupillary block

    Pupillary block gives a shallow or iris-bowed chamber, not a deep one.

  • C. Aqueous misdirection

    Aqueous misdirection flattens the chamber centrally with a raised IOP.

  • D. Early endophthalmitis

    Endophthalmitis causes pain, hypopyon and vitritis, not a quiet deep chamber.

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, Retained viscoelastic blocking the trabecular meshwork. Residual ophthalmic viscosurgical device raises IOP in the first hours after surgery by obstructing outflow.

Why is "Pupillary block" not the answer?

Pupillary block gives a shallow or iris-bowed chamber, not a deep one.

Why is "Aqueous misdirection" not the answer?

Aqueous misdirection flattens the chamber centrally with a raised IOP.

Why is "Early endophthalmitis" not the answer?

Endophthalmitis causes pain, hypopyon and vitritis, not a quiet deep chamber.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lens and cataract: retained viscoelastic in Ophthalmology. It settles with aqueous suppressants, occasionally with chamber washout. A deep chamber with open angle and no inflammation argues against block or 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 Lens and cataract: retained viscoelastic?

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.