Cataract: metabolic causes: 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: metabolic causes

Sample item

A young man with long-standing poorly controlled diabetes develops bilateral rapidly progressing lens opacities. What are these called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Snowflake cataract

True diabetic cataract appears as bilateral snowflake-like subcapsular opacities, due to sorbitol accumulation from aldose reductase. Senile cataract also occurs earlier in diabetics.

Option by option

  • A. Oil droplet cataract

    Oil droplet change is seen in galactosaemia.

  • B. Snowflake cataract (correct)

    Correct. Snowflake opacities are the diabetic type.

  • C. Christmas tree cataract

    Christmas tree cataract is seen in myotonic dystrophy.

  • D. Sunflower cataract

    Sunflower cataract is seen with intraocular copper in Wilson disease and chalcosis.

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.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Snowflake cataract. True diabetic cataract appears as bilateral snowflake-like subcapsular opacities, due to sorbitol accumulation from aldose reductase.

Why is "Oil droplet cataract" not the answer?

Oil droplet change is seen in galactosaemia.

Why is "Christmas tree cataract" not the answer?

Christmas tree cataract is seen in myotonic dystrophy.

Why is "Sunflower cataract" not the answer?

Sunflower cataract is seen with intraocular copper in Wilson disease and chalcosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cataract: metabolic causes in Ophthalmology. Senile cataract also occurs earlier in diabetics.

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: metabolic causes?

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.