NCLE-AE Review part 2 Exam
Questions & Answers43
Why does the epithelium consume more oxygen than the endothelium?
A. Because it has easier access to oxygen through the air and the environment
B. The epithelium needs the energy oxygen provides to regenerate.
C. The endothelium is fed through nutrients in the Aqueous fluid.
D. They both consume the same amount of oxygen - ANSWERS-B. The epithelium needs the
energy oxygen provides to regenerate.
The epithelium is constantly regenerating and replacing cells that are lost and it is this cellular
reproduction that requires the significant energy provided by large amounts of oxygen. The
endothelium does not reproduce and therefore does not require as much oxygen as the
epithelium.
Pleomorphism is:
A. Sloughing of to the epithelial cells
B. Splitting of epithelial cells
C. Variation in the shape of endothelial cells
D. Variation in the size of endothelial cells - ANSWERS-C. Variation in the shape of endothelial
cells
Pleomorphism refers to a change in shape of the corneal endothelial cells. Polymegathism refers
to changes in size of the endothelial cells. A normal endothelial cell pattern is honeycomb
shaped and consistent in size.
,The average pH of the tear film is:
A. 7.20
B. 7.45
C. 7.85
D. 8.25 - ANSWERS-B. 7.45
Values that are higher than 7.4 are considered relatively alkaline. Values that are lower than 7.4
may be considered more acidic.
You observe epithelial microcysts on a contact lens patient and have discontinued the patient's
lens wear. Upon rechecking the patient in the next 2 to 4 weeks, you observe:
A. More microcysts
B. Less microcysts
C. No microcysts
D. No change the microcysts will always be there - ANSWERS-A. More microcysts
Discontinuing lens wear increases the epithelium's metabolic function. The deeper layers or
disorganized epithelial tissues are brought to the surface, causing more microcysts to appear.
Complete resolution may take several months.
Pinpoint lesions on the cornea that stain with flourescein are often indicative of:
A. Superficial punctuate keratitis
B. Microbial keratitis
,C. Superior arcuate epithelial lesions
D. Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis - ANSWERS-B. Microbial keratitis
The cornea is one of the few avascular tissues in the body and yet is one of the most heavily
innervated and sensitive tissues.
The thickness of the tear film is:
A. 0.007 microns
B. 0.07 microns
C. 0.7 microns
D. 7 microns - ANSWERS-D. 7 microns
The tear film is an invaluable part of the overall optical system. It provides protection from
dehydration, a smooth optical surface, and nutrients for the cornea all in a very thin layer. The
entire tear film is only 7 microns thick with the aqueous layer comprising about 98% of this vital
fluid. The lipid layer is only 0.1 micron thick and the mucin layer 0.2 to0.5 microns thick.
The Palisades of Vogt are a series of ridges that are found in the:
A. Tarsal plate
B. Epithelium
C. Limbus
D. Fornix - ANSWERS-C. Limbus
The Palisades of Vogt are a series of ridges that are found in the limbus radiating out from the
cornea. The tarsal plate is the underside of the eyelid and the fornix is the cul-de-sac formed by
the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva.
, Which of the following is not one of the six ocular muscles?
A. Medial Rectus
B. Superior Oblique
C. Superior Rectus
D. Intermediate Tensile - ANSWERS-D. Intermediate Tensile
The six ocular muscles are:
Medial Rectus
Lateral Rectus
Superior Rectus
Inferior Rectus
Superior Oblique
Inferior Oblique
The refractive index of the cornea is:
A. 1.234
B. 1.376
C. 1.415
D. 1.524 - ANSWERS-B. 1.376
The index of refraction of the cornea is 1.376. The keratometer works on an index of refraction
of 1.3375.
Questions & Answers43
Why does the epithelium consume more oxygen than the endothelium?
A. Because it has easier access to oxygen through the air and the environment
B. The epithelium needs the energy oxygen provides to regenerate.
C. The endothelium is fed through nutrients in the Aqueous fluid.
D. They both consume the same amount of oxygen - ANSWERS-B. The epithelium needs the
energy oxygen provides to regenerate.
The epithelium is constantly regenerating and replacing cells that are lost and it is this cellular
reproduction that requires the significant energy provided by large amounts of oxygen. The
endothelium does not reproduce and therefore does not require as much oxygen as the
epithelium.
Pleomorphism is:
A. Sloughing of to the epithelial cells
B. Splitting of epithelial cells
C. Variation in the shape of endothelial cells
D. Variation in the size of endothelial cells - ANSWERS-C. Variation in the shape of endothelial
cells
Pleomorphism refers to a change in shape of the corneal endothelial cells. Polymegathism refers
to changes in size of the endothelial cells. A normal endothelial cell pattern is honeycomb
shaped and consistent in size.
,The average pH of the tear film is:
A. 7.20
B. 7.45
C. 7.85
D. 8.25 - ANSWERS-B. 7.45
Values that are higher than 7.4 are considered relatively alkaline. Values that are lower than 7.4
may be considered more acidic.
You observe epithelial microcysts on a contact lens patient and have discontinued the patient's
lens wear. Upon rechecking the patient in the next 2 to 4 weeks, you observe:
A. More microcysts
B. Less microcysts
C. No microcysts
D. No change the microcysts will always be there - ANSWERS-A. More microcysts
Discontinuing lens wear increases the epithelium's metabolic function. The deeper layers or
disorganized epithelial tissues are brought to the surface, causing more microcysts to appear.
Complete resolution may take several months.
Pinpoint lesions on the cornea that stain with flourescein are often indicative of:
A. Superficial punctuate keratitis
B. Microbial keratitis
,C. Superior arcuate epithelial lesions
D. Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis - ANSWERS-B. Microbial keratitis
The cornea is one of the few avascular tissues in the body and yet is one of the most heavily
innervated and sensitive tissues.
The thickness of the tear film is:
A. 0.007 microns
B. 0.07 microns
C. 0.7 microns
D. 7 microns - ANSWERS-D. 7 microns
The tear film is an invaluable part of the overall optical system. It provides protection from
dehydration, a smooth optical surface, and nutrients for the cornea all in a very thin layer. The
entire tear film is only 7 microns thick with the aqueous layer comprising about 98% of this vital
fluid. The lipid layer is only 0.1 micron thick and the mucin layer 0.2 to0.5 microns thick.
The Palisades of Vogt are a series of ridges that are found in the:
A. Tarsal plate
B. Epithelium
C. Limbus
D. Fornix - ANSWERS-C. Limbus
The Palisades of Vogt are a series of ridges that are found in the limbus radiating out from the
cornea. The tarsal plate is the underside of the eyelid and the fornix is the cul-de-sac formed by
the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva.
, Which of the following is not one of the six ocular muscles?
A. Medial Rectus
B. Superior Oblique
C. Superior Rectus
D. Intermediate Tensile - ANSWERS-D. Intermediate Tensile
The six ocular muscles are:
Medial Rectus
Lateral Rectus
Superior Rectus
Inferior Rectus
Superior Oblique
Inferior Oblique
The refractive index of the cornea is:
A. 1.234
B. 1.376
C. 1.415
D. 1.524 - ANSWERS-B. 1.376
The index of refraction of the cornea is 1.376. The keratometer works on an index of refraction
of 1.3375.
