Xerophthalmia: treatment: 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 · Xerophthalmia: treatment

Sample item

What is the standard treatment schedule for a child with active xerophthalmia beyond one year of age?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. 200,000 IU oral vitamin A on day 0, day 1 and day 14

Active xerophthalmia needs high-dose oral vitamin A given on day 0, the next day and about 2 weeks later. Half doses are given to infants under 1 year.

Option by option

  • A. Intravenous vitamin A for 3 days

    The oral route is preferred.

  • B. 200,000 IU oral vitamin A on day 0, day 1 and day 14 (correct)

    Correct. This is the WHO therapeutic schedule.

  • C. Topical vitamin A alone

    Systemic therapy is required.

  • D. A single 5,000 IU dose

    The dose is far too low to treat active disease.

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 B, 200,000 IU oral vitamin A on day 0, day 1 and day 14. Active xerophthalmia needs high-dose oral vitamin A given on day 0, the next day and about 2 weeks later.

Why is "Intravenous vitamin A for 3 days" not the answer?

The oral route is preferred.

Why is "Topical vitamin A alone" not the answer?

Systemic therapy is required.

Why is "A single 5,000 IU dose" not the answer?

The dose is far too low to treat active disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Xerophthalmia: treatment in Ophthalmology. Half doses are given to infants under 1 year.

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 Xerophthalmia: treatment?

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.