Community ophthalmology: low-dose atropine for myopia: 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 · Community ophthalmology: low-dose atropine for myopia

Sample item

A 9-year-old child has myopia that has worsened by more than one dioptre in a year. Which drug, in a very low concentration, is used to slow progression?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Atropine eye drops

Low-concentration atropine drops at night slow axial elongation in progressive childhood myopia, with little pupil dilatation or loss of accommodation. Outdoor time and certain contact lenses also help. Pilocarpine, timolol and latanoprost are glaucoma drugs with no such effect.

Option by option

  • A. Atropine eye drops (correct)

    Correct. Dilute atropine slows axial elongation in children.

  • B. Pilocarpine eye drops

    Pilocarpine is a miotic for glaucoma and does not slow axial growth.

  • C. Latanoprost eye drops

    Latanoprost lowers intraocular pressure.

  • D. Timolol eye drops

    Timolol lowers intraocular pressure and has no effect on myopia.

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, Atropine eye drops. Low-concentration atropine drops at night slow axial elongation in progressive childhood myopia, with little pupil dilatation or loss of accommodation.

Why is "Pilocarpine eye drops" not the answer?

Pilocarpine is a miotic for glaucoma and does not slow axial growth.

Why is "Latanoprost eye drops" not the answer?

Latanoprost lowers intraocular pressure.

Why is "Timolol eye drops" not the answer?

Timolol lowers intraocular pressure and has no effect on myopia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community ophthalmology: low-dose atropine for myopia in Ophthalmology. Outdoor time and certain contact lenses also help. Pilocarpine, timolol and latanoprost are glaucoma drugs with no such effect.

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 Community ophthalmology: low-dose atropine for myopia?

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.