Retina: macular hole: 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: macular hole

Sample item

An elderly woman has central distortion and a Watzke-Allen test showing a break in the slit beam. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Full-thickness macular hole

A broken or narrowed slit beam when projected across the fovea suggests a full-thickness hole. Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Central serous chorioretinopathy

    CSC gives serous elevation without a break.

  • B. Epiretinal membrane

    ERM gives a wavy slit beam.

  • C. Vitreous haemorrhage

    Vitreous haemorrhage clouds the view.

  • D. Full-thickness macular hole (correct)

    Correct. A positive Watzke-Allen test supports a macular hole.

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 D, Full-thickness macular hole. A broken or narrowed slit beam when projected across the fovea suggests a full-thickness hole.

Why is "Central serous chorioretinopathy" not the answer?

CSC gives serous elevation without a break.

Why is "Epiretinal membrane" not the answer?

ERM gives a wavy slit beam.

Why is "Vitreous haemorrhage" not the answer?

Vitreous haemorrhage clouds the view.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: macular hole in Ophthalmology. Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade is the treatment.

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 Retina: macular hole?

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.