Conjunctiva and cornea: evaporative dry eye: 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: evaporative dry eye

Sample item

A 50-year-old man has gritty eyes with a tear break-up time of 4 seconds, normal Schirmer test, telangiectatic lid margins and toothpaste-like plugs in the gland orifices. What is the type of dry eye?

AAqueous-deficient dry eye of Sjogren syndromeBNeurotrophic dry eyeCMucin-deficient dry eye from vitamin A lackDEvaporative dry eye from gland dysfunction

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Evaporative dry eye from gland dysfunction

A short tear break-up time with normal aqueous production and obstructed lid glands points to meibomian gland dysfunction, where the lipid layer fails and tears evaporate. Treatment includes warm compresses, lid hygiene and oral tetracyclines.

Option by option

A. Aqueous-deficient dry eye of Sjogren syndrome
Aqueous deficiency would give a low Schirmer value.
B. Neurotrophic dry eye
Neurotrophic disease causes reduced corneal sensation and epithelial defects.
C. Mucin-deficient dry eye from vitamin A lack
Mucin deficiency from vitamin A lack gives xerosis and Bitot spots with a systemic history.
D. Evaporative dry eye from gland dysfunction (correct)
Correct. Lipid layer failure causes evaporative dry eye with a normal Schirmer value.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Evaporative dry eye from gland dysfunction. A short tear break-up time with normal aqueous production and obstructed lid glands points to meibomian gland dysfunction, where the lipid layer fails and tears evaporate.

Why is "Aqueous-deficient dry eye of Sjogren syndrome" not the answer?

Aqueous deficiency would give a low Schirmer value.

Why is "Neurotrophic dry eye" not the answer?

Neurotrophic disease causes reduced corneal sensation and epithelial defects.

Why is "Mucin-deficient dry eye from vitamin A lack" not the answer?

Mucin deficiency from vitamin A lack gives xerosis and Bitot spots with a systemic history.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: evaporative dry eye in Ophthalmology. Treatment includes warm compresses, lid hygiene and oral tetracyclines.

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: evaporative dry eye?

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.