Neonatal eye disease: 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 · Neonatal eye disease

Sample item

A newborn develops marked lid swelling and copious purulent discharge from both eyes on the second day of life. Which organism is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum appears within the first few days, is hyperacute and purulent, and can rapidly perforate the cornea. Chlamydial disease appears later, typically in the second week, with milder mucopurulent discharge. Urgent systemic therapy is required.

Option by option

  • A. Staphylococcus aureus

    Staphylococcal conjunctivitis is milder and does not usually cause such a hyperacute picture.

  • B. Chlamydia trachomatis

    Chlamydial conjunctivitis typically begins after the first week and is less purulent.

  • C. Herpes simplex virus

    Herpes simplex usually appears later and may be accompanied by vesicles or keratitis.

  • D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (correct)

    Correct. Very early hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis suggests gonococcus.

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 D, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum appears within the first few days, is hyperacute and purulent, and can rapidly perforate the cornea.

Why is "Staphylococcus aureus" not the answer?

Staphylococcal conjunctivitis is milder and does not usually cause such a hyperacute picture.

Why is "Chlamydia trachomatis" not the answer?

Chlamydial conjunctivitis typically begins after the first week and is less purulent.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus" not the answer?

Herpes simplex usually appears later and may be accompanied by vesicles or keratitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatal eye disease in Ophthalmology. Chlamydial disease appears later, typically in the second week, with milder mucopurulent discharge. Urgent systemic therapy is required.

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 Neonatal eye disease?

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.