Pathology · single question

A patient with facial nerve palsy has drooling saliva and cannot blink the affected eye. All of the following can occur as a result EXCEPT:

  1. Glaucoma (an unrelated intraocular pressure disorder, not caused by inability to blink)
  2. Exposure keratopathy (corneal damage from inadequate blinking/lubrication)
  3. Corneal ulceration
  4. Dry eye from impaired tear film distribution
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Glaucoma (an unrelated intraocular pressure disorder, not caused by inability to blink)

Inability to blink (from facial nerve palsy affecting the orbicularis oculi muscle) leads to exposure keratopathy, corneal drying, ulceration, and related ocular surface complications due to inadequate tear film distribution and corneal protection — but it does NOT cause glaucoma, which is an unrelated condition involving elevated intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage, with a different (and unrelated) underlying mechanism.

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