Ocular pharmacology: interferon retinopathy: 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.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Ocular pharmacology: interferon retinopathy

Sample item

A man on pegylated interferon for hepatitis C has asymptomatic cotton wool spots and a few retinal haemorrhages. What is the usual course?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Often transient, with observation and follow-up

Interferon retinopathy is often asymptomatic and resolves, so careful follow-up is usually enough, with the drug continued unless it threatens vision. Laser and anti-VEGF are not required.

Option by option

  • A. Often transient, with observation and follow-up (correct)

    Correct. Most cases are self-limiting and are observed.

  • B. Urgent panretinal photocoagulation

    Laser is for proliferative ischaemic disease, which is not present.

  • C. Stop all antiviral treatment permanently

    Stopping antiviral treatment permanently is not required for mild findings.

  • D. Intravitreal bevacizumab

    Anti-VEGF injection is not routine for cotton wool spots.

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, Often transient, with observation and follow-up. Interferon retinopathy is often asymptomatic and resolves, so careful follow-up is usually enough, with the drug continued unless it threatens vision.

Why is "Urgent panretinal photocoagulation" not the answer?

Laser is for proliferative ischaemic disease, which is not present.

Why is "Stop all antiviral treatment permanently" not the answer?

Stopping antiviral treatment permanently is not required for mild findings.

Why is "Intravitreal bevacizumab" not the answer?

Anti-VEGF injection is not routine for cotton wool spots.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ocular pharmacology: interferon retinopathy in Ophthalmology. Laser and anti-VEGF are not required.

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 Ocular pharmacology: interferon retinopathy?

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.