NEET-PG 2012 - Ophthalmology Practice Questions

Q: Most common cause of bilateral optic atrophy is:

Nutritional deficiency (B12/folate). ***Nutritional deficiency (B12/folate)*** - **Nutritional optic neuropathy** due to deficiencies in B vitamins (especially B12, thiamine) and folate is a common cause of bilateral optic atrophy, particularly in **developing countries** and in populations with **malnutrition or chronic alcoholism**. - These deficiencies impair the **metabolism of retinal ganglion cells** and their axons, leading to symmetric bilateral optic nerve degeneration. - The condition is often **reversible in early stages** with appropriate supplementation. - **Note:** The "most common" cause varies by geographic location, population, and clinical setting. *Hereditary optic neuropathy* - **Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)** and **autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA)** are major causes of bilateral optic atrophy, especially in **younger patients**. - LHON typically presents in young males (15-35 years) with **sequential bilateral visual loss**. - These are among the **most common inherited optic neuropathies** and should always be considered in bilateral cases. *Intracranial tumor* - Intracranial tumors typically cause **unilateral optic atrophy** due to direct compression of one optic nerve. - **Bilateral optic atrophy** can occur with **chiasmal or suprasellar tumors** (pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas) but is less common. - Usually presents with **visual field defects** (bitemporal hemianopia) before significant atrophy develops. *Toxic optic neuropathy* - **Toxic optic neuropathies** result from exposure to substances such as **methanol, ethambutol, tobacco-alcohol amblyopia**, or isoniazid. - Can cause bilateral symmetric optic atrophy but are **exposure-dependent** and less prevalent in general population. - **Tobacco-alcohol amblyopia** may overlap with nutritional deficiency.

Q: Massaging of nasolacrimal duct is done in ?

Congenital dacryocystitis. ***Congenital dacryocystitis*** - **Massaging the nasolacrimal duct** (Crigler massage) is a primary treatment for congenital dacryocystitis to promote the opening of the **valve of Hasner**. - This condition is due to incomplete canalization of the nasolacrimal duct, leading to tearing and discharge in infants. *Acute dacryocystitis* - This is an **acute infection of the lacrimal sac**, and massaging can worsen the condition by spreading the infection. - Treatment typically involves **antibiotics** and, if necessary, incision and drainage of any abscess. *Conjunctivitis* - **Conjunctivitis** is inflammation of the conjunctiva and is not related to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. - Massaging the nasolacrimal duct has no therapeutic role in treating conjunctivitis. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **congenital dacryocystitis** is a condition where nasolacrimal duct massage is a standard and effective treatment.

Q: Among the following organisms, which is the most common cause of postoperative endophthalmitis following corneal transplantation?

Staph epidermidis. ***Staph epidermidis*** - **Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus** (CoNS), including *S. epidermidis*, is the most frequent cause of **postoperative endophthalmitis** after both cataract surgery and corneal transplantation due to its presence on the normal ocular flora. - These organisms can form **biofilms on intraocular lenses** or transplanted corneal tissue, making eradication difficult. *Streptococcus* - While *Streptococcus* species can cause endophthalmitis, they are associated with a **more virulent and rapid onset** of severe inflammation and are not the most common causative agents of postoperative endophthalmitis compared to *S. epidermidis*. - They tend to cause more aggressive infections with often **poorer visual outcomes**. *Propionibacterium acnes* - *Propionibacterium acnes* can cause a **late-onset, indolent form of endophthalmitis**, typically months or even years after surgery. - While it is a recognized cause, it is far **less common** than *Staphylococcus epidermidis* in immediate or early postoperative cases. *Pseudomonas* - **Pseudomonas aeruginosa** is an aggressive and rapid-onset pathogen often associated with **severe keratitis** or **post-traumatic endophthalmitis**. - Although it can cause postoperative endophthalmitis, it is **much less common** than coagulase-negative staphylococci due to its infrequency on normal conjunctival flora.

Q: Irregular pupil is seen in which of the following conditions?

Trauma. ***Trauma*** - **Direct injury to the iris** can cause tears or distortion, leading to an **irregularly shaped pupil** - Results in conditions like **traumatic mydriasis** (dilated pupil) or **iridodialysis** (iris detachment from its root at the ciliary body) - **Sphincter pupillae tears** cause characteristic irregularity with notching or peaked appearance *Glaucoma* - Primarily characterized by **optic nerve damage** due to increased intraocular pressure - In acute angle closure glaucoma, pupil may be **mid-dilated and fixed**, but remains **round**, not irregular - Pupil shape irregularity is not a feature of chronic glaucoma *Retinal detachment* - Involves **separation of the neurosensory retina** from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium - This is a **posterior segment pathology** that does not affect anterior segment structures - **Pupil shape remains regular** despite severe vision loss *Oculomotor palsy* - Affects the **third cranial nerve (CN III)**, leading to ptosis, strabismus, and loss of parasympathetic innervation - Pupil is typically **dilated and fixed** due to unopposed sympathetic action - Pupil remains **round but unresponsive to light**, not irregular in shape

Q: What is the most common cause of anterior uveitis?

Idiopathic. ***Idiopathic*** - In a significant proportion of cases of **anterior uveitis**, a specific cause cannot be identified, leading to a diagnosis of idiopathic uveitis. - This highlights the multifactorial nature of the condition, where various triggers or underlying predispositions may not always be evident. *CMV* - **Cytomegalovirus (CMV)** typically causes a **posterior uveitis** or **retinitis**, especially in immunocompromised individuals. - While CMV can rarely cause anterior uveitis, it is not the most common cause. *Toxoplasma* - **Toxoplasmosis** is a frequent cause of **posterior uveitis** or **chorioretinitis**, characterized by focal necrotic lesions in the retina. - It is not a common cause of isolated anterior uveitis, although anterior chamber inflammation can occur secondary to posterior disease. *Ankylosing spondylitis* - **Ankylosing spondylitis** is a well-known systemic condition associated with **acute anterior uveitis**. - However, while a significant association exists, it is not the single most common cause when considering all cases of anterior uveitis, many of which remain idiopathic.

Q: When should surgery be performed for congenital cataracts with visual disturbances?

As soon as possible (within 6-10 weeks). ***As soon as possible (within 6-10 weeks)*** - **Early surgical intervention** (within the first few weeks of life) is crucial for congenital cataracts to prevent **irreversible visual deficits**, such as **amblyopia**. - The brain's visual pathways develop rapidly in infancy, and prolonged visual deprivation from cataracts can lead to **permanent impairment**. *After 2 months* - This time frame represents a delay that can increase the risk of **amblyopia** and poorer visual outcomes. - The critical period for visual development is very early in life, making immediate intervention vital. *After 4 months* - A delay of four months significantly increases the likelihood of **dense amblyopia** and **strabismus**, making complete visual rehabilitation much more challenging. - At this age, the potential for achieving good vision post-surgery dramatically decreases due to entrenched abnormal visual processing. *After 1 year* - Performing surgery at one year or later for congenital cataracts is generally considered too late, often resulting in **profound and irreversible amblyopia**. - The visual system will have already established abnormal connections, making significant improvement in visual acuity unlikely.

Q: Which of the following is not a risk factor for angle closure glaucoma?

Small lens. ***Correct Answer: Small lens*** - A smaller lens would lead to a **deeper anterior chamber**, reducing the likelihood of iridotrabecular contact and angle closure. - In contrast, a **large or thick lens** is a well-established risk factor for angle closure glaucoma as it pushes the iris forward, causing pupillary block. - Small lens size is **NOT a risk factor** for angle closure glaucoma. *Incorrect: Small eye* - A small eye (e.g., in **nanophthalmos**) is associated with a relatively large lens in proportion to the eye size, which can push the iris forward and narrow the angle. - This anatomical configuration makes individuals more prone to **pupillary block** and angle closure. *Incorrect: Hypermetropia* - **Hyperopic eyes** tend to be shorter with reduced axial length, which often results in a shallower anterior chamber and a relatively crowded anterior segment. - This shallow anterior chamber increases the risk of the iris occluding the **trabecular meshwork**, predisposing to angle closure. *Incorrect: Small cornea* - A small corneal diameter can be indicative of a generally smaller anterior segment, often correlating with a **shallow anterior chamber**. - A smaller cornea contributes to a more crowded anterior segment, predisposing to **angle closure glaucoma**.

Q: The 'headlight in fog' appearance is seen in which condition?

Toxoplasmosis. ***Toxoplasmosis*** - The "headlight in fog" appearance is a classic description of **chorioretinitis** caused by **congenital toxoplasmosis**. - It refers to an old, healed **retinal scar** (headlight) surrounded by active inflammation and **vitreous haze** (fog). *Syphilis* - Ocular syphilis can cause various presentations, including uveitis, retinitis, and optic neuropathy, but it does **not typically** present with the specific "headlight in fog" appearance. - Ocular lesions are often more diffuse or involve distinct **gummatous lesions**. *Toxocara* - Ocular toxocariasis often presents as a **granuloma** (either peripheral or macular) or as **endophthalmitis**, but not the characteristic "headlight in fog" pattern. - The lesions are usually a result of a direct larval migration and subsequent inflammatory reaction. *Herpes* - Herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can cause **acute retinal necrosis** (ARN) or progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN), presenting with widespread retinal whitening and vascular occlusion. - These conditions have distinct appearances, generally **lacking the central scar** with surrounding active inflammation seen in "headlight in fog."

Q: What visual disturbance is caused by an optic tract lesion?

Contralateral homonymous hemianopsia. ***Contralateral homonymous hemianopsia*** - An **optic tract lesion** interrupts the nerve fibers originating from the contralateral nasal retina and the ipsilateral temporal retina, leading to **vision loss in the contralateral visual field** of both eyes. - This results in a defect where the patient cannot see objects on the **opposite side** of the body from the lesion. *Marcus Gunn pupil* - A **Marcus Gunn pupil**, also known as an **afferent pupillary defect**, indicates asymmetric disease of the **retina** or **optic nerve**, not specifically the optic tract. - It is characterized by paradoxical dilation of the affected pupil when light is swung from the unaffected to the affected eye. *Bilateral blindness* - **Bilateral blindness** typically results from severe damage to both **optic nerves**, the **optic chiasm**, or extensive bilateral lesions in the visual cortex. - An optic tract lesion affects only one side of the visual pathway posterior to the chiasm, thus not causing complete bilateral vision loss. *Ipsilateral homonymous hemianopsia* - **Ipsilateral homonymous hemianopsia** is not a standard neurological visual field defect. Visual field defects are usually described relative to the lesion side as contralateral or ipsilateral based on the specific anatomical location. - An optic tract lesion always produces a **contralateral homonymous hemianopsia** because optic tract fibers cross at the optic chiasm.

Q: How is the angle of squint measured?

Prism. ***Prism*** - The **angle of squint**, which indicates the deviation of the eyes, is most accurately measured using **prisms** in conjunction with the **prism cover test** or **alternate prism cover test**. - Prisms quantify the degree of ocular deviation in **prism diopters** by neutralizing the misalignment so that the light falls correctly on the fovea. *Gonioscopy* - This technique is used to examine the **anterior chamber angle** of the eye, which is relevant for diagnosing conditions like **glaucoma**. - It does not involve measuring the angle of ocular deviation or misalignment of the eyes. *Retinoscopy* - Retinoscopy is an objective method to determine the **refractive error** of the eye (e.g., myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism). - While it assesses the eye's ability to focus light, it does not directly measure the angle of a squint. *Keratometry* - Keratometry measures the **curvature of the cornea**, primarily used for fitting contact lenses or calculating intraocular lens power for cataract surgery. - It does not assess the alignment of the eyes or the magnitude of a squint.

Question 1

Most common cause of bilateral optic atrophy is:

Accepted Answer

Nutritional deficiency (B12/folate)

Answer

Intracranial tumor

Answer

Hereditary optic neuropathy

Answer

Toxic optic neuropathy

Question 2

Massaging of nasolacrimal duct is done in ?

Accepted Answer

Congenital dacryocystitis

Answer

Acute dacryocystitis

Answer

Conjunctivitis

Answer

None of the options

Question 3

Among the following organisms, which is the most common cause of postoperative endophthalmitis following corneal transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Staph epidermidis

Answer

Streptococcus

Answer

Pseudomonas

Answer

Propionibacterium acnes

Question 4

Irregular pupil is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Trauma

Answer

Glaucoma

Answer

Retinal detachment

Answer

Oculomotor palsy

Question 5

What is the most common cause of anterior uveitis?

Accepted Answer

Idiopathic

Answer

CMV

Answer

Toxoplasma

Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis

Question 6

When should surgery be performed for congenital cataracts with visual disturbances?

Accepted Answer

As soon as possible (within 6-10 weeks)

Answer

After 2 months

Answer

After 4 months

Answer

After 1 year

Question 7

Which of the following is not a risk factor for angle closure glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Small lens

Answer

Small eye

Answer

Small cornea

Answer

Hypermetropia

Question 8

The 'headlight in fog' appearance is seen in which condition?

Accepted Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Answer

Syphilis

Answer

Toxocara

Answer

Herpes

Question 9

What visual disturbance is caused by an optic tract lesion?

Accepted Answer

Contralateral homonymous hemianopsia

Answer

Marcus Gunn pupil

Answer

Bilateral blindness

Answer

Ipsilateral homonymous hemianopsia

Question 10

How is the angle of squint measured?

Accepted Answer

Prism

Answer

Gonioscopy

Answer

Retinoscopy

Answer

Keratometry

NEET-PG 2012 — Ophthalmology