Special senses: amblyopia: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Special senses: amblyopia

Sample item

A 9-year-old child has a dense unilateral congenital cataract present since birth, removed only now. Despite a clear lens and a good prescription, vision in that eye stays poor. What is the mechanism?

APermanent photoreceptor loss from lack of lightBA refractive error that glasses cannot fixCOptic nerve regrowth after surgeryDCortical deprivation during a critical period

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Cortical deprivation during a critical period

In early childhood, the visual cortex needs balanced input from both eyes. Deprivation of one eye allows the other eye's inputs to take over ocular dominance columns, causing amblyopia that is hard to reverse after the critical period.

Option by option

A. Permanent photoreceptor loss from lack of light
The retina is generally intact, and the deficit lies mainly in the cortex.
B. A refractive error that glasses cannot fix
A clear lens and correct prescription exclude uncorrected refractive error.
C. Optic nerve regrowth after surgery
Optic nerve regrowth is not part of this condition.
D. Cortical deprivation during a critical period (correct)
Correct. Cortical development depends on early input, so a deprived eye loses cortical representation.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Cortical deprivation during a critical period. In early childhood, the visual cortex needs balanced input from both eyes.

Why is "Permanent photoreceptor loss from lack of light" not the answer?

The retina is generally intact, and the deficit lies mainly in the cortex.

Why is "A refractive error that glasses cannot fix" not the answer?

A clear lens and correct prescription exclude uncorrected refractive error.

Why is "Optic nerve regrowth after surgery" not the answer?

Optic nerve regrowth is not part of this condition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special senses: amblyopia in Physiology. Deprivation of one eye allows the other eye's inputs to take over ocular dominance columns, causing amblyopia that is hard to reverse after the critical period.

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 Special senses: amblyopia?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.