Diseases of the Cornea Practice Questions

Q: All are true regarding cornea except:

The cornea is richly vascular.. ***The cornea is richly vascular.*** - The cornea is an **avascular** tissue, meaning it lacks blood vessels, which is crucial for its transparency. - This avascularity helps prevent light scatter and maintains clear vision. - The cornea receives nutrition from the **aqueous humor**, **tear film**, and **limbal blood vessels** through diffusion. *Endothelium help in maintaining dehydrated state* - The **corneal endothelium** actively pumps fluid out of the corneal stroma via **Na-K-ATPase pumps**, preventing swelling and maintaining its relative state of dehydration. - This **deturgescence** is essential for the cornea's transparency and optimal refractive power. *Oxygen is mostly derived by epithelium directly from the air through tear film* - The corneal **epithelium** primarily obtains oxygen directly from the atmosphere via the **tear film** when the eyes are open. - During sleep, oxygen is primarily supplied by the **palpebral conjunctival vessels**. *Corneal thickness is greater at periphery than center* - The cornea is **thinner at the center** (around 520-540 µm) and gradually **thicker towards the periphery** (around 600-640 µm). - This structural difference contributes to its optical properties and mechanical stability.

Q: All of the following are true about Keratoconus, except:

Thick cornea. ***Thick cornea*** - Keratoconus is characterized by **progressive corneal thinning** and weakening, not thickening. - This corneal thinning leads to a conical protrusion, causing significant visual distortion and irregular astigmatism. *Increased curvature of cornea and Astigmatism* - Keratoconus features **increased corneal curvature** with progressive steepening into a cone-shaped configuration. - This results in **irregular astigmatism**, a hallmark feature causing distorted vision at all distances. *Astigmatism* - **Irregular astigmatism** is a cardinal feature of keratoconus due to the asymmetric corneal shape. - Causes blurred and distorted vision that is difficult to correct with spectacles alone. *Fleischer's ring* - **Fleischer's ring** is an iron deposit ring at the base of the cone in keratoconus, visible on slit-lamp examination. - It represents hemosiderin deposition in the basal epithelial cells and is a characteristic clinical sign of keratoconus.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a cause of crystal keratopathy?

Diabetes. ***Diabetes*** - While diabetes can cause various ocular complications, such as **diabetic retinopathy**, **neovascular glaucoma**, and **cataracts**, it is **not associated** with crystal keratopathy. - Corneal changes in diabetes might include epithelial defects or reduced corneal sensitivity, but **not the deposition of crystalline substances in the cornea**. - **This is the correct answer** as diabetes does NOT cause crystal keratopathy. *Cystinosis* - **Cystinosis** is a metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of **cystine crystals** throughout the body, including the **cornea**. - These crystals can lead to significant **photophobia**, **corneal erosions**, and visual impairment, making it a **classic cause of crystal keratopathy**. - Corneal involvement typically appears in childhood with diffuse crystalline deposits. *Schnyder's Dystrophy* - **Schnyder's corneal dystrophy** is an inherited corneal dystrophy characterized by the deposition of **cholesterol and lipid crystals** in the central and peripheral cornea. - This leads to **dense corneal opacification** and can significantly impair vision over time, representing a **classic cause of crystal keratopathy**. - The cornea shows characteristic subepithelial and stromal crystal deposits. *Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy* - **Bietti's crystalline dystrophy** is a rare, inherited chorioretinal dystrophy characterized by **crystalline deposits primarily in the retina and choroid**. - While the name suggests crystalline involvement, these crystals are predominantly **intraretinal and do NOT typically cause corneal crystal deposits**. - Therefore, Bietti's is **NOT a typical cause of crystal keratopathy** (corneal disease), though minimal peripheral corneal crystals have been rarely reported in advanced cases. - The confusion arises from the word "crystalline" in its name, but the pathology is retinal, not corneal.

Q: Interstitial keratitis is associated with all of the following except:

Acanthamoeba. ***Acanthamoeba*** - **Acanthamoeba keratitis** is a **suppurative keratitis** characterized by a painful, ring-shaped infiltrate with epithelial ulceration, typically associated with contact lens use and contaminated water exposure. - It causes **ulcerative stromal inflammation**, not the **non-ulcerative deep stromal inflammation** that characterizes classic interstitial keratitis. - **This is NOT a cause of interstitial keratitis.** *Syphilis* - **Congenital syphilis** is the **CLASSIC cause** of bilateral **interstitial keratitis**, often presenting in late childhood with "salmon patch" appearance, photophobia, lacrimation, and eventual ghost vessels. - The inflammation is **non-ulcerative and chronic**, affecting the **deep corneal stroma** with preservation of epithelium. - This is the most important association with interstitial keratitis to remember. *Chlamydia Trachomatis* - **Chlamydia trachomatis** causes **trachoma**, a chronic keratoconjunctivitis leading to **superficial keratitis with pannus formation** (superficial vascularization from the limbus). - The corneal involvement in trachoma is **superficial**, not the deep stromal inflammation seen in classic interstitial keratitis. - While listed in some references, **Chlamydia is NOT a standard cause of interstitial keratitis** in major ophthalmology textbooks. - **Note:** This option is potentially debatable, but Acanthamoeba is the more definitively incorrect answer. *Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV)* - **Herpes zoster ophthalmicus** can lead to **interstitial keratitis** and **disciform keratitis** (immune-mediated stromal inflammation with disc-shaped corneal edema). - Similarly, **HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus)** causes stromal keratitis, a form of interstitial keratitis. - The corneal involvement includes **deep stromal inflammation, scarring**, and potential neurotrophic changes leading to vision impairment.

Q: Non-sterile hypopyon is seen in ?

Fungal infection. ***Fungal infection*** - **Fungal keratitis** produces a **non-sterile hypopyon**, meaning the hypopyon contains actual fungal elements and organisms, not just inflammatory cells alone. - This is characteristically seen with **filamentous fungi** (Aspergillus, Fusarium) and yeast (Candida), which can directly invade the anterior chamber. - The hypopyon is typically **indolent, greyish-white, and does not shift with position** unlike bacterial hypopyon, and shows poor response to antibacterial therapy. - **Fungal culture and KOH mount** are diagnostic. *Pneumococcal infection* - **Bacterial keratitis** caused by *Streptococcus pneumoniae* produces a **sterile hypopyon** consisting purely of inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) without organisms in the anterior chamber. - Presents with **acute onset, severe pain, and rapid progression** with a dense stromal infiltrate. - The hypopyon is **white, mobile, and shifts with head position**. *Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection* - **Pseudomonas keratitis** causes an aggressive infection with a **sterile hypopyon** due to intense inflammatory response. - Characterized by **rapidly progressive stromal necrosis** with a ground-glass appearance and greenish discharge. - Often associated with **contact lens wear** and can lead to corneal perforation within 24-48 hours. *Gonococcal conjunctivitis* - **Neisseria gonorrhoeae conjunctivitis** causes severe **hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis** with copious discharge. - Typically does **not cause hypopyon** unless there is secondary corneal ulceration leading to keratitis or endophthalmitis. - Primary manifestation is conjunctival inflammation, chemosis, and lid edema.

Q: Ameboid ulcers are primarily associated with which type of corneal ulcer?

Acanthamoeba corneal ulcer. ***Acanthamoeba corneal ulcer*** - **Acanthamoeba** infections are classically associated with **ameboid ulcers** due to the movement and destructive nature of this protozoan. - This type of ulcer often presents with severe pain, disproportionate to clinical findings, and can have a **ring infiltrates** appearance. *Fungal corneal ulcer* - Fungal ulcers typically present with a **feathery border** and satellite lesions, not ameboid shapes. - They are often associated with a history of **ocular trauma** involving plant material. *Herpetic corneal ulcer* - Herpetic ulcers are characterized by a **dendritic pattern** (tree-branch-like), which is distinct from an ameboid shape. - They are caused by the **herpes simplex virus** and can lead to recurrent episodes. *Bacterial corneal ulcer* - Bacterial ulcers typically present as a **round or oval infiltrate** with stromal edema and an overlying epithelial defect. - They can progress rapidly and are not described as having an **ameboid configuration**.

Q: Corneal sensations are decreased in all of the following conditions except:

Recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. ***Recurrent corneal erosion syndrome*** - This condition involves **defective adhesion** of the corneal epithelium to the underlying Bowman's layer and basement membrane, leading to sudden, severe pain upon waking. - While it causes **pain** and **epithelial defects**, it does not primarily involve nerve damage or decreased corneal sensation; rather, episodes are often very painful due to exposed nerve endings. *Herpetic keratitis* - Caused by the **herpes simplex virus (HSV)**, which can infect the trigeminal nerve and lead to **trophic changes** in the cornea. - This viral infection often results in **significant reduction** or loss of corneal sensation, making the eye more vulnerable to trauma and delayed healing. *Neuroparalytic keratitis* - This condition is also known as **neurotrophic keratitis** and results from damage to the **trigeminal nerve**, which supplies sensation to the cornea. - Loss of corneal sensation leads to impaired reflex tearing and blinking, making the cornea susceptible to epithelial breakdown and ulceration due to lack of protective mechanisms. *Leprosy* - In ocular leprosy, the **Mycobacterium leprae** directly invades the ciliary nerves, significantly impairing corneal sensation. - This reduced sensation in leprosy patients increases the risk of **corneal ulcers** and opacification due to undetected foreign bodies and trauma.

Q: Reis-Buckler dystrophy affects which layer of the cornea?

Bowman's membrane. ***Bowman's membrane*** - **Reis-Buckler dystrophy** is a type of corneal dystrophy specifically characterized by the progressive destruction and irregular regeneration of **Bowman's membrane** and the superficial stroma. - This leads to the formation of an abnormal fibrous layer that causes recurrent corneal erosions and significant visual impairment due to corneal opacification. *Epithelium* - While patients often experience recurrent **corneal erosions** involving the epithelium, the primary pathology in Reis-Buckler dystrophy affects the underlying Bowman's membrane. - The epithelial damage is secondary to the irregular surface created by the diseased Bowman's layer. *Stroma* - The **stroma** can be secondarily affected with superficial scarring and opacification in Reis-Buckler dystrophy, but the initial and primary site of pathology is Bowman's membrane. - Other dystrophies, such as macular or granular dystrophies, primarily involve the corneal stroma. *Endothelium* - The **endothelium** is not directly affected in Reis-Buckler dystrophy. - Endothelial dystrophies, such as Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, involve the innermost layer of the cornea and lead to corneal edema.

Q: Scissor reflex is seen in ?

Keratoconus. ***Keratoconus*** - The **scissor reflex**, or **scissoring reflex**, is a characteristic finding during **retinoscopy** in patients with **keratoconus**. - It is caused by the irregular and variable refractive power across the cornea, leading to a distorted red reflex that appears to split into two bands moving in opposite directions. *Open angle glaucoma* - **Open-angle glaucoma** is characterized by progressive damage to the **optic nerve** and visual field loss, typically with a normal open anterior chamber angle. - It does not involve abnormalities in corneal shape or light refraction that would produce a scissor reflex during retinoscopy. *Phlyctenular conjunctivitis* - **Phlyctenular conjunctivitis** is an inflammatory condition characterized by small nodular lesions (phlyctenules) on the conjunctiva or cornea, often associated with a hypersensitivity reaction to microbial antigens. - This condition primarily affects the surface of the eye and does not cause the corneal ectasia or irregular astigmatism seen in keratoconus. *Interstitial keratitis* - **Interstitial keratitis** is an inflammation of the corneal stroma without significant involvement of the epithelium or endothelium, often associated with systemic infections like syphilis or Lyme disease. - While it can cause corneal opacification and vision loss, it typically does not lead to the conical shape or irregular astigmatism characteristic of keratoconus, which produces the scissor reflex.

Q: Schwalbe's ring is seen in which layer of the cornea?

Descemet's membrane. ***Descemet's membrane*** - Schwalbe's ring is a circular opacity representing the termination of **Descemet's membrane** at the periphery of the cornea, just anterior to the **trabecular meshwork**. - Its presence is a normal anatomical variant, but prominence can be associated with certain conditions like **posterior embryotoxon**. *Bowman's membrane* - This layer is found immediately beneath the **corneal epithelium** and does not extend to form Schwalbe's ring. - It is an acellular layer composed of collagen fibrils randomly arranged, offering resistance to infection and injury. *Stroma* - The stroma is the thickest layer of the cornea, composed primarily of **collagen lamellae** arranged in a highly organized manner. - It lies posterior to Bowman's membrane and anterior to Descemet's membrane, but its termination does not form Schwalbe's ring. *Substantia propria* - This is another name for the **corneal stroma**, which, as elaborated above, does not form Schwalbe's ring. - It comprises about 90% of the corneal thickness and provides the cornea's structural integrity and transparency.

Question 1

All are true regarding cornea except:

Accepted Answer

The cornea is richly vascular.

Answer

Endothelium help in maintaining dehydrated state

Answer

Oxygen is mostly derived by epithelium directly from the air through tear film

Answer

Corneal thickness is greater at periphery than center

Question 2

All of the following are true about Keratoconus, except:

Accepted Answer

Thick cornea

Answer

Astigmatism

Answer

Increased curvature of cornea and Astigmatism

Answer

Fleischer's ring

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a cause of crystal keratopathy?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Schnyder's Dystrophy

Answer

Bietti's Dystrophy

Answer

Cystinosis

Question 4

Interstitial keratitis is associated with all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Acanthamoeba

Answer

Syphilis

Answer

Chlamydia Trachomatis

Answer

Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV)

Question 5

Non-sterile hypopyon is seen in ?

Accepted Answer

Fungal infection

Answer

Pneumococcal infection

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Answer

Gonococcal conjunctivitis

Question 6

Ameboid ulcers are primarily associated with which type of corneal ulcer?

Accepted Answer

Acanthamoeba corneal ulcer

Answer

Fungal corneal ulcer

Answer

Bacterial corneal ulcer

Answer

Herpetic corneal ulcer

Question 7

Corneal sensations are decreased in all of the following conditions except:

Accepted Answer

Recurrent corneal erosion syndrome

Answer

Neuroparalytic keratitis

Answer

Leprosy

Answer

Herpetic keratitis

Question 8

Reis-Buckler dystrophy affects which layer of the cornea?

Accepted Answer

Bowman's membrane

Answer

Stroma

Answer

Endothelium

Answer

Epithelium

Question 9

Scissor reflex is seen in ?

Accepted Answer

Keratoconus

Answer

Open angle glaucoma

Answer

Phlyctenular conjunctivitis

Answer

Interstitial keratitis

Question 10

Schwalbe's ring is seen in which layer of the cornea?

Accepted Answer

Descemet's membrane

Answer

Bowman's membrane

Answer

Stroma

Answer

Substantia propria

Diseases of the Cornea — MCQs

Diseases of the Cornea — MCQs

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