Retina: immediate CRAO measures: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Retina: immediate CRAO measures

Sample item

A patient presents within 1 hour of CRAO. Which immediate steps are recommended to try to dislodge the embolus?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Ocular massage, anterior chamber paracentesis and IOP-lowering drugs

Rapid lowering of IOP by massage, paracentesis, acetazolamide or mannitol, and carbogen inhalation may move the embolus distally. The window for recovery is very short (about 90 to 100 minutes). Systemic work-up for carotid and cardiac sources and giant cell arteritis follows.

Option by option

  • A. Panretinal photocoagulation

    PRP is for proliferative disease.

  • B. Intravitreal anti-VEGF

    Anti-VEGF treats neovascularisation, not arterial occlusion.

  • C. Topical steroids and observation

    Steroids are for giant cell arteritis only.

  • D. Ocular massage, anterior chamber paracentesis and IOP-lowering drugs (correct)

    Correct. These measures aim to lower IOP and dislodge the embolus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Ocular massage, anterior chamber paracentesis and IOP-lowering drugs. Rapid lowering of IOP by massage, paracentesis, acetazolamide or mannitol, and carbogen inhalation may move the embolus distally.

Why is "Panretinal photocoagulation" not the answer?

PRP is for proliferative disease.

Why is "Intravitreal anti-VEGF" not the answer?

Anti-VEGF treats neovascularisation, not arterial occlusion.

Why is "Topical steroids and observation" not the answer?

Steroids are for giant cell arteritis only.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: immediate CRAO measures in Ophthalmology. The window for recovery is very short (about 90 to 100 minutes). Systemic work-up for carotid and cardiac sources and giant cell arteritis follows.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Retina: immediate CRAO measures?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.