Retinal vascular occlusion: 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 · Retinal vascular occlusion

Sample item

A patient has sudden painless profound monocular visual loss. Fundoscopy shows a pale retina with a cherry-red fovea. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Central retinal artery occlusion

Central retinal artery occlusion produces retinal ischemia with a pale retina and cherry-red fovea and is a time-critical vascular emergency. Patients require urgent evaluation for embolic sources and stroke risk.

Option by option

  • A. Central retinal vein occlusion

    Vein occlusion causes widespread hemorrhages and a blood-and-thunder fundus.

  • B. Vitreous hemorrhage

    Vitreous hemorrhage obscures the fundus rather than producing this pattern.

  • C. Retinal detachment

    Detachment produces an elevated or folded retina.

  • D. Central retinal artery occlusion (correct)

    Correct. The cherry-red spot with retinal pallor is classic.

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.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Central retinal artery occlusion. Central retinal artery occlusion produces retinal ischemia with a pale retina and cherry-red fovea and is a time-critical vascular emergency.

Why is "Central retinal vein occlusion" not the answer?

Vein occlusion causes widespread hemorrhages and a blood-and-thunder fundus.

Why is "Vitreous hemorrhage" not the answer?

Vitreous hemorrhage obscures the fundus rather than producing this pattern.

Why is "Retinal detachment" not the answer?

Detachment produces an elevated or folded retina.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retinal vascular occlusion in Ophthalmology. Patients require urgent evaluation for embolic sources and stroke risk.

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 Retinal vascular occlusion?

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.