Retina: posterior vitreous detachment symptoms: 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: posterior vitreous detachment symptoms

Sample item

A 62-year-old emmetropic woman notices a sudden onset of a large floater and flashes of light in one eye with normal acuity. What is the most important next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dilated fundus examination to look for retinal breaks

Acute PVD gives photopsia and floaters, but in about 10 to 15 percent of cases it causes a retinal tear. Dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression is mandatory. Patients are instructed to return if a curtain or new floaters appear.

Option by option

  • A. Reassurance without examination

    Reassurance alone could miss a tear.

  • B. Systemic antibiotics

    Antibiotics have no role.

  • C. Dilated fundus examination to look for retinal breaks (correct)

    Correct. A dilated peripheral retinal exam is needed to exclude a tear.

  • D. Topical steroids

    Steroids have no role.

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 C, Dilated fundus examination to look for retinal breaks. Acute PVD gives photopsia and floaters, but in about 10 to 15 percent of cases it causes a retinal tear.

Why is "Reassurance without examination" not the answer?

Reassurance alone could miss a tear.

Why is "Systemic antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics have no role.

Why is "Topical steroids" not the answer?

Steroids have no role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: posterior vitreous detachment symptoms in Ophthalmology. Dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression is mandatory. Patients are instructed to return if a curtain or new floaters appear.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: posterior vitreous detachment symptoms?

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.