Retina: solar retinopathy: 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: solar retinopathy

Sample item

A 19-year-old student watched a solar eclipse for several minutes without any filter. Two days later he has blurred central vision in both eyes with a small yellowish spot at each fovea. Which diagnosis fits best?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Solar retinopathy

Looking at the sun without protection damages the foveal photoreceptors and pigment epithelium, mainly by photochemical injury. A small yellow-white foveal lesion appears and later becomes a reddish pit. There is no effective treatment, so prevention with certified eclipse viewers is the key message.

Option by option

  • A. Commotio retinae

    Commotio retinae follows blunt trauma and shows retinal whitening rather than a foveal spot after light exposure.

  • B. Central serous chorioretinopathy

    Central serous chorioretinopathy gives a serous detachment, usually unilateral, in stressed adults on steroids.

  • C. Stargardt disease

    Stargardt disease is an inherited macular dystrophy with gradual loss and no exposure history.

  • D. Solar retinopathy (correct)

    Correct. Unprotected sun-gazing leads to a bilateral foveal lesion with central blur.

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, Solar retinopathy. Looking at the sun without protection damages the foveal photoreceptors and pigment epithelium, mainly by photochemical injury.

Why is "Commotio retinae" not the answer?

Commotio retinae follows blunt trauma and shows retinal whitening rather than a foveal spot after light exposure.

Why is "Central serous chorioretinopathy" not the answer?

Central serous chorioretinopathy gives a serous detachment, usually unilateral, in stressed adults on steroids.

Why is "Stargardt disease" not the answer?

Stargardt disease is an inherited macular dystrophy with gradual loss and no exposure history.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: solar retinopathy in Ophthalmology. A small yellow-white foveal lesion appears and later becomes a reddish pit. There is no effective treatment, so prevention with certified eclipse viewers is the key message.

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: solar retinopathy?

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.