Conjunctiva and cornea: lissamine green 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.

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Ophthalmology · Conjunctiva and cornea: lissamine green staining

Sample item

In a patient with suspected Sjogren dry eye, which stain highlights devitalised epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and cornea that lack a protective mucin coat?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lissamine green

Rose bengal and lissamine green stain dead or degenerate cells and mucus-deficient areas on the ocular surface. Lissamine green causes much less stinging than rose bengal. Fluorescein instead pools in epithelial defects.

Option by option

  • A. Indocyanine green

    Indocyanine green is used to image choroidal circulation.

  • B. Fluorescein

    Fluorescein stains areas of epithelial loss and shows tear film breakup, not devitalised cells.

  • C. Lissamine green (correct)

    Correct. Lissamine green stains devitalised surface cells in dry eye.

  • D. Trypan blue

    Trypan blue is used intraoperatively to stain the anterior lens capsule.

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, Lissamine green. Rose bengal and lissamine green stain dead or degenerate cells and mucus-deficient areas on the ocular surface.

Why is "Indocyanine green" not the answer?

Indocyanine green is used to image choroidal circulation.

Why is "Fluorescein" not the answer?

Fluorescein stains areas of epithelial loss and shows tear film breakup, not devitalised cells.

Why is "Trypan blue" not the answer?

Trypan blue is used intraoperatively to stain the anterior lens capsule.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: lissamine green staining in Ophthalmology. Lissamine green causes much less stinging than rose bengal. Fluorescein instead pools in epithelial defects.

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: lissamine green 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.