Glaucoma: blebitis after trabeculectomy: 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 · Glaucoma: blebitis after trabeculectomy

Sample item

Two years after trabeculectomy, a patient has sudden pain, redness and reduced vision. The filtering bleb is opaque and milky with a hazy anterior chamber but no hypopyon. What is the most appropriate management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Intensive topical fortified broad-spectrum antibiotics

A white, infected bleb without vitreous involvement, blebitis, is treated urgently with intensive topical broad-spectrum antibiotics, and with systemic or intravitreal antibiotics if endophthalmitis develops. Delay risks spread into the vitreous. Steroids are added only after the infection is controlled.

Option by option

  • A. Laser suture lysis

    Laser suture lysis is for tight early filtration, not an infected bleb.

  • B. Topical steroid drops alone

    Steroid alone would let the infection spread.

  • C. Observation with lubricants

    Observation risks bleb-related endophthalmitis and loss of the eye.

  • D. Intensive topical fortified broad-spectrum antibiotics (correct)

    Correct. Prompt intensive antibiotics contain the infection before it enters the vitreous.

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 D, Intensive topical fortified broad-spectrum antibiotics. A white, infected bleb without vitreous involvement, blebitis, is treated urgently with intensive topical broad-spectrum antibiotics, and with systemic or intravitreal antibiotics if endophthalmitis develops.

Why is "Laser suture lysis" not the answer?

Laser suture lysis is for tight early filtration, not an infected bleb.

Why is "Topical steroid drops alone" not the answer?

Steroid alone would let the infection spread.

Why is "Observation with lubricants" not the answer?

Observation risks bleb-related endophthalmitis and loss of the eye.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma: blebitis after trabeculectomy in Ophthalmology. Delay risks spread into the vitreous. Steroids are added only after the infection is controlled.

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 Glaucoma: blebitis after trabeculectomy?

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.