NBEO Part 1 Random Topics Exam (Questions
and Answers)2024/2025 (A+ Graded Verified)
Conductive Keratoplasty. What is that?! Does it use a laser or blade?? - ANSWER: Neither
laser nor blade... It uses radiofrequency energy.
Corrects Hyperopia by shrinking midperpheral stromal collagen.
Results last only a few years but surgery is repeatable.
Laser Thermal Keratoplasty. What is that? Does it use a blade or radiofrequencies? -
ANSWER It uses a laser actually.
Laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) is also a surgery that is targeted towards presbyopes with low
amounts of hyperopia and astigmatism. This procedure utilizes a holmium laser to cause
shrinkage of the peripheral corneal collagen, resulting in corneal steepening. Again, LTK is
temporary and will generally revert in roughly two to three years.
Starting at the pinna (outer ear), how is sound processed into a neural signal? - ANSWER
Sound is funneled by the pinna (the outer ear) into the auditory canal to the tympanic
membrane. Vibration of this membrane transfers the sound energy to the malleus (or the
hammer) which then passes it to the incus (anvil) and on to the stapes (stirrup). The energy is
transmitted to the oval window, which is considerably smaller than the tympanic membrane,
causing amplification of the original sound vibrations. The oval window conveys the sound to the
cochlea, a fluid-filled, snail-shaped apparatus consisting of the scala vestibuli and the scala
tympani, which surround the central cochlear duct. It is within the cochlear duct that the magic
happens. The floor of the cochlear duct houses the basilar membrane, which serves as a bed
for the organ of Corti. Hair cells of the organ of Corti protrude upwards onto a membrane called
the tectorial membrane. Sound waves cause the fluid in the cochlea to move, which vibrates the
basilar membrane. This vibration in turn pushes the hair cells against the tectorial membrane,
causing the hair cells to bend. The bent hair cells release a neurotransmitter, resulting in action
potentials of the auditory nerve. Pressure waves travel through the cochlea and are released to
the round window, which helps to release some pressure caused by the force of the sound
waves.
How do you convert degrees to diopters for prisms? - ANSWER 1 degree = 1.75 prism
diopters
Where are T lymphocytes produced? - ANSWER Produced in Bone Marrow. They mature in
the the thymus.
Lattice Dystrophy? - ANSWER Amyloid deposits. Most common stromal dystrophy
(according to the internets).
Type 1 is AD
Type 2 is AD and assoc with systemic amyloidosis
,Type 3 is AR and presents late in life
What is the most common Stromal Dystrophy? - ANSWER KMK says Granular
The Internets say Lattice
Some kid you see has a red spot on their forehead. You make fun of him and he cries which
makes it turn even redder. You press hard on the red spot and it blanches. What is this red
spot!? - ANSWER Capillary Hemangioma
Benign
Blanches on pressure
Reddens during valsalva manuver
Usually resolves as the kid grows
Granular Dystrophy - ANSWER AD
1st decade onset
eosinophilic hyaline deposit in anterior stroma
Clear limbal zone
Macular Dystrophy - ANSWER AR
1st decade onset
mucopolysaccharide deposits
Extends to limbus
Worst of the 3 stromal dystrophies. Low vision by age 20-30.
Fleck Dystrophy - ANSWER AD
1st decade onset
Comma shaped GAG deposits
Microcysts - ANSWER 15-50 microns in diameter
Caused by hypoxia (low dK SCL worn for 2 months)
Asymptomatic and transient
Midget Bipolar cells - ANSWER Receive signal from ONE cone and relay to ONE midget
ganglion cell. Found in central retina (fovea)
Pseudo Von Graefe's sign - ANSWER occurs due to aberrant regeneration of cranial nerve
III. After incurring an insult (paralysis), upon recovery, instead of innervating the levator
palpebrae superioris, fibers now connect to the medial rectus. Therefore, when one adducts the
eye on the same side of the palsy, the ptosis is not evident. In straight-ahead gaze a ptosis is
present on the same side of the palsy.
,Von Graefe's sign occurs in Grave's disease (thyroid dysfunction). This term refers to the
inability of the eyelid to move down when the globe is directed in a down gaze. It is often
described as a lagging of the upper eyelid-not because it sags but because it lags behind
movement-wise. The greater the down gaze, the greater the bearing of the sclera. Von Graefe's
results from excessive innervation of the sympathetic system causing upper lid retraction via
Muller's muscle.
Hyaluronic Acid is a heteropolysaccharide. What 2 sugars are the repeating units? - ANSWER
Glucuronic acid
N-acetyl glucosamine
What does the pineal gland secrete and what is the function of this secretion? - ANSWER
Melatonin
Circadian Rhythm
An imaginary line that joins the center of curvature of each side of a lens is called what? -
ANSWER Optical Axis
Give an example of 2 common amine hormones. Are amine hormones hydrophilic or
hydrophobic? - ANSWER Epi and NorEpi
They are hydrophilic and cannot enter cells like the lipophilic steroid hormones can. Bind to cell
membranes and activate a 2nd messenger.
Tay Sachs Disease - ANSWER AR
CHERRY RED SPOT on macula
Macular Adherens - ANSWER aka "Desmosomes"
A spot weld giving concentrated support at a single point between cells
Zonula Adherens - ANSWER Belt like junction between cells. Wraps around like zonula
occludens (tight junctions) except there is a small gap where tonofilaments act as ropes pulling
the cells together
Zonula Occludens - ANSWER aka "Tight Junction"
Tight barrier which wraps around the cell and blocks passage of material between cells.
Plays a role in maintaining BAB and BBB.
Gap Junctions - ANSWER Electrical channels between cells where ions flow through.
Allows rapid communication allowing for passage of an electrical signal. Plays a role in cardiac
and nervous tissue conductance.
, Hemidesmosome - ANSWER Connects basal cell to their BM.
Does not connect cell to cell like all other connections, but rather basal cell to its basement
membrane. Damage to hemidesmosomes is a common cause of RCE.
Simple Squamous - ANSWER allow diffusion of substances
e.g. blood vessels
Simple Cuboidal - ANSWER for secretion
e.g. thyroid gland
Simple Columnar - ANSWER for absorption
e.g. GI tract
Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium - ANSWER Found in Respiratory Tract
nuclei present at different levels which gives the appearance of stratification
Stratified Squamous NON-Keratinized Epithelium - ANSWER Protective; keeps antugens out
but poor O2 diffusion
Cornea, Conj
Exocrine vs Endocrine - ANSWER Exocrine: excretes via duct. 3 types
1) Holocrine - whole cell
2) Apocrine - Plasma Membrane buds off
3) Merocrine - exocytosis
Endocrine: excretes without the use of a duct. Often into the bloodstream
Holocrine - ANSWER Meibomian Gland
Whole cell is shed into lumen of duct
Apocrine - ANSWER Goblet cells & Moll
Membrane bound vesicle pinched off into lumen of duct
Merocrine - ANSWER Main & Accessory Lacrimal glands
Exocytosed out of cell
What has both exocrine and endocrine units? - ANSWER The Pancrease
Exocrine pancreas: secretes digestive enzymes via pancreatic duct to duodenum
and Answers)2024/2025 (A+ Graded Verified)
Conductive Keratoplasty. What is that?! Does it use a laser or blade?? - ANSWER: Neither
laser nor blade... It uses radiofrequency energy.
Corrects Hyperopia by shrinking midperpheral stromal collagen.
Results last only a few years but surgery is repeatable.
Laser Thermal Keratoplasty. What is that? Does it use a blade or radiofrequencies? -
ANSWER It uses a laser actually.
Laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) is also a surgery that is targeted towards presbyopes with low
amounts of hyperopia and astigmatism. This procedure utilizes a holmium laser to cause
shrinkage of the peripheral corneal collagen, resulting in corneal steepening. Again, LTK is
temporary and will generally revert in roughly two to three years.
Starting at the pinna (outer ear), how is sound processed into a neural signal? - ANSWER
Sound is funneled by the pinna (the outer ear) into the auditory canal to the tympanic
membrane. Vibration of this membrane transfers the sound energy to the malleus (or the
hammer) which then passes it to the incus (anvil) and on to the stapes (stirrup). The energy is
transmitted to the oval window, which is considerably smaller than the tympanic membrane,
causing amplification of the original sound vibrations. The oval window conveys the sound to the
cochlea, a fluid-filled, snail-shaped apparatus consisting of the scala vestibuli and the scala
tympani, which surround the central cochlear duct. It is within the cochlear duct that the magic
happens. The floor of the cochlear duct houses the basilar membrane, which serves as a bed
for the organ of Corti. Hair cells of the organ of Corti protrude upwards onto a membrane called
the tectorial membrane. Sound waves cause the fluid in the cochlea to move, which vibrates the
basilar membrane. This vibration in turn pushes the hair cells against the tectorial membrane,
causing the hair cells to bend. The bent hair cells release a neurotransmitter, resulting in action
potentials of the auditory nerve. Pressure waves travel through the cochlea and are released to
the round window, which helps to release some pressure caused by the force of the sound
waves.
How do you convert degrees to diopters for prisms? - ANSWER 1 degree = 1.75 prism
diopters
Where are T lymphocytes produced? - ANSWER Produced in Bone Marrow. They mature in
the the thymus.
Lattice Dystrophy? - ANSWER Amyloid deposits. Most common stromal dystrophy
(according to the internets).
Type 1 is AD
Type 2 is AD and assoc with systemic amyloidosis
,Type 3 is AR and presents late in life
What is the most common Stromal Dystrophy? - ANSWER KMK says Granular
The Internets say Lattice
Some kid you see has a red spot on their forehead. You make fun of him and he cries which
makes it turn even redder. You press hard on the red spot and it blanches. What is this red
spot!? - ANSWER Capillary Hemangioma
Benign
Blanches on pressure
Reddens during valsalva manuver
Usually resolves as the kid grows
Granular Dystrophy - ANSWER AD
1st decade onset
eosinophilic hyaline deposit in anterior stroma
Clear limbal zone
Macular Dystrophy - ANSWER AR
1st decade onset
mucopolysaccharide deposits
Extends to limbus
Worst of the 3 stromal dystrophies. Low vision by age 20-30.
Fleck Dystrophy - ANSWER AD
1st decade onset
Comma shaped GAG deposits
Microcysts - ANSWER 15-50 microns in diameter
Caused by hypoxia (low dK SCL worn for 2 months)
Asymptomatic and transient
Midget Bipolar cells - ANSWER Receive signal from ONE cone and relay to ONE midget
ganglion cell. Found in central retina (fovea)
Pseudo Von Graefe's sign - ANSWER occurs due to aberrant regeneration of cranial nerve
III. After incurring an insult (paralysis), upon recovery, instead of innervating the levator
palpebrae superioris, fibers now connect to the medial rectus. Therefore, when one adducts the
eye on the same side of the palsy, the ptosis is not evident. In straight-ahead gaze a ptosis is
present on the same side of the palsy.
,Von Graefe's sign occurs in Grave's disease (thyroid dysfunction). This term refers to the
inability of the eyelid to move down when the globe is directed in a down gaze. It is often
described as a lagging of the upper eyelid-not because it sags but because it lags behind
movement-wise. The greater the down gaze, the greater the bearing of the sclera. Von Graefe's
results from excessive innervation of the sympathetic system causing upper lid retraction via
Muller's muscle.
Hyaluronic Acid is a heteropolysaccharide. What 2 sugars are the repeating units? - ANSWER
Glucuronic acid
N-acetyl glucosamine
What does the pineal gland secrete and what is the function of this secretion? - ANSWER
Melatonin
Circadian Rhythm
An imaginary line that joins the center of curvature of each side of a lens is called what? -
ANSWER Optical Axis
Give an example of 2 common amine hormones. Are amine hormones hydrophilic or
hydrophobic? - ANSWER Epi and NorEpi
They are hydrophilic and cannot enter cells like the lipophilic steroid hormones can. Bind to cell
membranes and activate a 2nd messenger.
Tay Sachs Disease - ANSWER AR
CHERRY RED SPOT on macula
Macular Adherens - ANSWER aka "Desmosomes"
A spot weld giving concentrated support at a single point between cells
Zonula Adherens - ANSWER Belt like junction between cells. Wraps around like zonula
occludens (tight junctions) except there is a small gap where tonofilaments act as ropes pulling
the cells together
Zonula Occludens - ANSWER aka "Tight Junction"
Tight barrier which wraps around the cell and blocks passage of material between cells.
Plays a role in maintaining BAB and BBB.
Gap Junctions - ANSWER Electrical channels between cells where ions flow through.
Allows rapid communication allowing for passage of an electrical signal. Plays a role in cardiac
and nervous tissue conductance.
, Hemidesmosome - ANSWER Connects basal cell to their BM.
Does not connect cell to cell like all other connections, but rather basal cell to its basement
membrane. Damage to hemidesmosomes is a common cause of RCE.
Simple Squamous - ANSWER allow diffusion of substances
e.g. blood vessels
Simple Cuboidal - ANSWER for secretion
e.g. thyroid gland
Simple Columnar - ANSWER for absorption
e.g. GI tract
Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium - ANSWER Found in Respiratory Tract
nuclei present at different levels which gives the appearance of stratification
Stratified Squamous NON-Keratinized Epithelium - ANSWER Protective; keeps antugens out
but poor O2 diffusion
Cornea, Conj
Exocrine vs Endocrine - ANSWER Exocrine: excretes via duct. 3 types
1) Holocrine - whole cell
2) Apocrine - Plasma Membrane buds off
3) Merocrine - exocytosis
Endocrine: excretes without the use of a duct. Often into the bloodstream
Holocrine - ANSWER Meibomian Gland
Whole cell is shed into lumen of duct
Apocrine - ANSWER Goblet cells & Moll
Membrane bound vesicle pinched off into lumen of duct
Merocrine - ANSWER Main & Accessory Lacrimal glands
Exocytosed out of cell
What has both exocrine and endocrine units? - ANSWER The Pancrease
Exocrine pancreas: secretes digestive enzymes via pancreatic duct to duodenum
