Eyelid: blepharospasm: 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 · Eyelid: blepharospasm

Sample item

An elderly woman has involuntary bilateral forceful eye closure with a normal eye examination. What is the treatment of choice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Botulinum toxin injections

Benign essential blepharospasm is a focal dystonia, and botulinum toxin injected into orbicularis oculi gives relief for about 3 months. Myectomy is reserved for refractory cases.

Option by option

  • A. Botulinum toxin injections (correct)

    Correct. Botulinum toxin is first-line.

  • B. Topical atropine

    Atropine is a cycloplegic.

  • C. Pilocarpine

    Pilocarpine has no role.

  • D. Lateral tarsorrhaphy

    Tarsorrhaphy is for exposure.

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 A, Botulinum toxin injections. Benign essential blepharospasm is a focal dystonia, and botulinum toxin injected into orbicularis oculi gives relief for about 3 months.

Why is "Topical atropine" not the answer?

Atropine is a cycloplegic.

Why is "Pilocarpine" not the answer?

Pilocarpine has no role.

Why is "Lateral tarsorrhaphy" not the answer?

Tarsorrhaphy is for exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eyelid: blepharospasm in Ophthalmology. Myectomy is reserved for refractory cases.

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 Eyelid: blepharospasm?

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.