Retinal emergencies: 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.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Retinal emergencies

Sample item

Which symptom combination should prompt urgent assessment for retinal detachment?

ANew flashes, floaters, and a curtain-like visual-field lossBPain only when touching the tragusCGradual near-vision blur after age fortyDItching with clear tears after pollen

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. New flashes, floaters, and a curtain-like visual-field loss

Retinal detachment may present with sudden photopsias, a shower of floaters, and a curtain or shadow progressing across the visual field; rapid ophthalmic assessment is important to preserve central vision.

Option by option

A. New flashes, floaters, and a curtain-like visual-field loss (correct)
Correct: flashes, floaters, and a curtain are classic detachment warning symptoms.
B. Pain only when touching the tragus
Tragal pain is an otologic sign of external ear inflammation.
C. Gradual near-vision blur after age forty
Age-related near blur is typical of presbyopia.
D. Itching with clear tears after pollen
Pollen-related itch suggests allergy rather than retinal detachment.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, New flashes, floaters, and a curtain-like visual-field loss. Retinal detachment may present with sudden photopsias, a shower of floaters, and a curtain or shadow progressing across the visual field; rapid ophthalmic assessment is important to preserve central vision.

Why is "Pain only when touching the tragus" not the answer?

Tragal pain is an otologic sign of external ear inflammation.

Why is "Gradual near-vision blur after age forty" not the answer?

Age-related near blur is typical of presbyopia.

Why is "Itching with clear tears after pollen" not the answer?

Pollen-related itch suggests allergy rather than retinal detachment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retinal emergencies in Ophthalmology. The correct option holds because: Correct: flashes, floaters, and a curtain are classic detachment warning symptoms.

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 Retinal emergencies?

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.