Cornea: lattice dystrophy staining: 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.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Cornea: lattice dystrophy staining

Sample item

A biopsy from a corneal dystrophy with branching refractile lines shows apple-green birefringence under polarised light after a certain stain. Which stain?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Congo red

Lattice dystrophy has amyloid deposits that stain with Congo red and show apple-green birefringence under polarised light. Recurrent erosions are frequent. Alcian blue stains mucopolysaccharides, and Masson trichrome stains hyaline.

Option by option

  • A. Alcian blue

    Alcian blue stains acid mucopolysaccharides in macular dystrophy.

  • B. Congo red (correct)

    Correct. Congo red stains amyloid.

  • C. Masson trichrome

    Masson trichrome is for hyaline in granular dystrophy.

  • D. Oil red O

    Oil red O stains lipid.

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.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Congo red. Lattice dystrophy has amyloid deposits that stain with Congo red and show apple-green birefringence under polarised light.

Why is "Alcian blue" not the answer?

Alcian blue stains acid mucopolysaccharides in macular dystrophy.

Why is "Masson trichrome" not the answer?

Masson trichrome is for hyaline in granular dystrophy.

Why is "Oil red O" not the answer?

Oil red O stains lipid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cornea: lattice dystrophy staining in Ophthalmology. Recurrent erosions are frequent. Alcian blue stains mucopolysaccharides, and Masson trichrome stains hyaline.

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 Cornea: lattice dystrophy staining?

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.