Optic neuropathy: arteritic AION: 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 · Optic neuropathy: arteritic AION

Sample item

A 75-year-old has sudden vision loss, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness and a pale swollen disc. What is the most urgent step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. High-dose systemic corticosteroids

Giant cell arteritis causes arteritic AION, and immediate steroids protect the fellow eye. ESR and CRP are checked, and temporal artery biopsy is done without delaying treatment.

Option by option

  • A. High-dose systemic corticosteroids (correct)

    Correct. Immediate steroids prevent blindness in the other eye.

  • B. Intravitreal anti-VEGF

    Anti-VEGF has no role.

  • C. Aspirin alone

    Aspirin alone is inadequate.

  • D. Observation and review in 4 weeks

    Delay risks bilateral blindness.

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, High-dose systemic corticosteroids. Giant cell arteritis causes arteritic AION, and immediate steroids protect the fellow eye.

Why is "Intravitreal anti-VEGF" not the answer?

Anti-VEGF has no role.

Why is "Aspirin alone" not the answer?

Aspirin alone is inadequate.

Why is "Observation and review in 4 weeks" not the answer?

Delay risks bilateral blindness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Optic neuropathy: arteritic AION in Ophthalmology. ESR and CRP are checked, and temporal artery biopsy is done without delaying 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 Optic neuropathy: arteritic AION?

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.