Retina: cotton wool spots: 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: cotton wool spots

Sample item

Cotton wool spots represent which pathology?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Nerve fibre layer infarcts

Cotton wool spots are small ischaemic infarcts in the retinal nerve fibre layer with axoplasmic flow stasis. They are seen in hypertension, diabetes, HIV and vascular occlusions.

Option by option

  • A. Nerve fibre layer infarcts (correct)

    Correct. They are nerve fibre infarcts.

  • B. Subretinal fibrosis

    Subretinal fibrosis is a scar.

  • C. Lipid exudates

    Hard exudates are lipid deposits in the outer plexiform layer.

  • D. Drusen

    Drusen lie under the RPE.

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 A, Nerve fibre layer infarcts. Cotton wool spots are small ischaemic infarcts in the retinal nerve fibre layer with axoplasmic flow stasis.

Why is "Subretinal fibrosis" not the answer?

Subretinal fibrosis is a scar.

Why is "Lipid exudates" not the answer?

Hard exudates are lipid deposits in the outer plexiform layer.

Why is "Drusen" not the answer?

Drusen lie under the RPE.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: cotton wool spots in Ophthalmology. They are seen in hypertension, diabetes, HIV and vascular occlusions.

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: cotton wool spots?

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.