Cataract: nuclear sclerosis: 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 · Cataract: nuclear sclerosis

Sample item

An elderly patient who previously needed reading glasses now reads without them but has poor distance vision. What explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Increase in lens refractive index from nuclear sclerosis causing myopic shift

Nuclear sclerosis raises the refractive index of the lens core, producing index myopia, called second sight. It is also accompanied by yellow-brown discolouration.

Option by option

  • A. Corneal flattening

    Corneal flattening is not the cause.

  • B. Increase in lens refractive index from nuclear sclerosis causing myopic shift (correct)

    Correct. Index myopia from nuclear sclerosis gives second sight.

  • C. Regression of presbyopia from lens growth

    Presbyopia does not regress.

  • D. Development of hypermetropia

    Hypermetropia would worsen near vision.

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 B, Increase in lens refractive index from nuclear sclerosis causing myopic shift. Nuclear sclerosis raises the refractive index of the lens core, producing index myopia, called second sight.

Why is "Corneal flattening" not the answer?

Corneal flattening is not the cause.

Why is "Regression of presbyopia from lens growth" not the answer?

Presbyopia does not regress.

Why is "Development of hypermetropia" not the answer?

Hypermetropia would worsen near vision.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cataract: nuclear sclerosis in Ophthalmology. It is also accompanied by yellow-brown discolouration.

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 Cataract: nuclear sclerosis?

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.