Optic neuritis: 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 · Optic neuritis

Sample item

A young adult has subacute unilateral visual loss, pain on eye movement, reduced color vision, and a relative afferent pupillary defect. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Optic neuritis

Optic neuritis causes inflammatory optic-nerve dysfunction with pain on eye movement, reduced color perception, and an afferent pupillary defect. It may be associated with demyelinating disease.

Option by option

  • A. Bacterial conjunctivitis

    Conjunctivitis affects the ocular surface without afferent pupillary defect.

  • B. Cataract

    Cataract is painless and causes lens opacity.

  • C. Presbyopia

    Presbyopia causes gradual near-vision difficulty with age.

  • D. Optic neuritis (correct)

    Correct. This is the typical optic-neuritis pattern.

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, Optic neuritis. Optic neuritis causes inflammatory optic-nerve dysfunction with pain on eye movement, reduced color perception, and an afferent pupillary defect.

Why is "Bacterial conjunctivitis" not the answer?

Conjunctivitis affects the ocular surface without afferent pupillary defect.

Why is "Cataract" not the answer?

Cataract is painless and causes lens opacity.

Why is "Presbyopia" not the answer?

Presbyopia causes gradual near-vision difficulty with age.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Optic neuritis in Ophthalmology. It may be associated with demyelinating disease.

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 Optic neuritis?

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.