FMGE 2025 - Ophthalmology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: A 6-year-old child presents with a refractive error of -2D in the right eye and +1D in the left eye. Visual acuity is normal in both eyes with correction, and fundus examination reveals normal retinal findings. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Anisometropia. ***Anisometropia*** - This diagnosis refers to the condition where the two eyes have significantly **unequal refractive powers**, usually a difference of 2 diopters or more, as seen in this case (-2D vs +1D = 3 diopters). - Anisometropia is critical because the brain suppresses the blurred image from the eye with the greater refractive error, making it the most important cause of **refractive amblyopia** in children. *Myopia* - Myopia (nearsightedness) refers to the refractive error where light focuses in front of the retina, characteristic only of the **right eye** (-2D). - This term fails to describe the overall condition, which involves two different types of errors (**myopia and hyperopia**) in the same patient. *Hyperopia* - Hyperopia (farsightedness) refers to the refractive error where light focuses behind the retina, characteristic only of the **left eye** (+1D). - Applying this term alone ignores the presence of myopia in the right eye and the crucial **disparity in focus** between the two eyes. *Amblyopia* - Amblyopia (lazy eye) is reduced vision in an eye uncorrectable with lenses, often due to conditions like anisometropia that cause visual deprivation during the critical period. - The key differentiating factor here is that the patient is noted to have **normal visual acuity** despite the refractive disparity, meaning amblyopia has not yet developed (though the patient is at high risk). [Practice more Ophthalmology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following is NOT a feature of Horner's Syndrome?

Exophthalmos. ***Exophthalmos*** - **Exophthalmos** (bulging of the eyeball) is caused by hyperactivity of the sympathetic system (e.g., in *hyperthyroidism*) or orbital mass effects, making it *NOT* a feature of sympathetic paralysis. - Horner's Syndrome, due to paralysis of the **Müller's muscle** in the orbit, actually causes the opposite effect: apparent **enophthalmos** (sinking of the eyeball). *Anhidrosis* - **Anhidrosis** (lack of sweating) on the ipsilateral face and neck is a crucial component of Horner's syndrome, particularly if the lesion is located preganglionic or centrally. - This occurs because the sympathetic fibers supplying the **sweat glands** are disrupted along the pathway. *Miosis* - **Miosis** (constricted pupil) is a hallmark feature resulting from the unopposed action of the parasympathetic system's **sphincter pupillae muscle**. - The sympathetic nerves responsible for innervating the **dilator pupillae muscle** are paralyzed, leading to relative pupil constriction that is more pronounced in dim light (*anisocoria*). *Ptosis* - **Ptosis** (droopy eyelid) is a characteristic symptom caused by the paralysis of the sympathetically innervated **Müller's muscle** (superior tarsal muscle). - This results in a mild degree of eyelid drooping (partial ptosis), often less severe than the ptosis seen with **Oculomotor Nerve (CN III) palsy**. [Practice more Ophthalmology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following statements is correct regarding indirect ophthalmoscopy?

It provides 3-5x magnification.. ***It provides 3-5x magnification.*** - Indirect ophthalmoscopy typically provides a lower magnification, ranging from **3x to 5x**, which is essential for yielding a much **wider field of view** - The wide field of view allows the examiner to visualize large areas of the **peripheral retina**, facilitating screening for detachments or tears - This lower magnification is a trade-off for the **stereoscopic viewing** and **broader illuminated area** *The image is erect and real.* - The image formed by indirect ophthalmoscopy is **real** but **inverted** (upside down), not erect - The examiner must mentally reorient the inverted image during examination - An **erect (upright)** and **virtual** image is characteristic of **direct ophthalmoscopy** *The condenser lens needs to be kept close to the eye.* - The **condenser lens** is held at **arm's length**, at its **focal distance** from the patient's eye (not close to the examiner's eye) - Typically held at about 10-15 cm from the patient's cornea - If held too close or too far, the examiner will lose the **red reflex** or clear retinal details *It provides 15x magnification.* - A magnification of approximately **15x** is characteristic of **direct ophthalmoscopy**, not indirect - Direct ophthalmoscopy is used for fine detail work near the macula and optic disc - Indirect ophthalmoscopy sacrifices magnification for a **broader field of view** and **stereoscopic depth perception** [Practice more Ophthalmology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A patient presents with right-sided field defects in both eyes, but central vision remains unaffected. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Homonymous Hemianopia with Macular Sparing. ***Homonymous Hemianopia with Macular Sparing*** - **Homonymous hemianopia** refers to a visual field defect on the same side in both eyes (in this case, the right side), which precisely matches the patient's presentation. - **Macular sparing** occurs because the occipital pole, which processes central vision, often has a dual blood supply from both the **posterior cerebral artery (PCA)** and the **middle cerebral artery (MCA)**, protecting it during a stroke affecting one vessel. *Heteronymous Hemianopia with Central Sparing* - **Heteronymous hemianopia** involves defects on opposite sides of the visual field in each eye (e.g., loss of both temporal fields), which is inconsistent with the patient's right-sided defect in both eyes. - This type of defect is classically caused by a lesion at the **optic chiasm**, such as a pituitary adenoma, leading to **bitemporal hemianopia**. *Optic Chiasm Lesion* - A lesion compressing the optic chiasm, where the nasal retinal fibers cross, typically causes **bitemporal hemianopia** (loss of peripheral vision in both eyes). - This results in a **heteronymous** defect, not a **homonymous** one as described in the question. *Optic Tract Lesion* - A lesion in the optic tract (posterior to the chiasm) does cause a contralateral **homonymous hemianopia**. - However, lesions in the optic tract typically do not spare the macula, as the fibers from the macula are intermingled with other fibers at this point. Macular sparing points towards a more posterior lesion in the **visual cortex**. [Practice more Ophthalmology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A patient sustained blunt trauma to the eye 6 months ago and now presents with blurring of vision. What is the most likely condition?

Iridodialysis. ***Iridodialysis*** - This condition involves the tearing of the **iris root** from its attachment to the **ciliary body**, which is a known complication of significant **blunt ocular trauma**. - The separation creates a secondary pupillary opening, leading to symptoms like **monocular diplopia**, **glare**, and blurred vision, consistent with the patient's presentation and the image showing a detached iris segment. *Ankyloblepharon* - Ankyloblepharon refers to the partial or complete **fusion of the eyelids**, which is a condition affecting the external adnexa, not the internal structures of the eye like the iris. - It is typically **congenital** or can result from severe chemical burns or trauma to the eyelids themselves, and does not match the clinical image. *Vossius Ring* - A Vossius ring is a circular deposit of **pigment** on the anterior surface of the **lens capsule** that occurs after blunt trauma presses the iris against the lens. - While it is an indicator of past trauma, it is a finding on the lens and is not the structural iris damage seen here. It doesn't typically cause chronic blurring of vision on its own. *Cycloiriditis* - Cycloiriditis, or **iridocyclitis**, is an **inflammatory** condition of the iris and ciliary body, presenting with pain, redness, and photophobia. - This is an inflammatory process, not a structural tear. Examination would show signs of **anterior uveitis** (cells and flare), not a physical separation of the iris tissue. [Practice more Ophthalmology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

A 6-year-old child presents with a refractive error of -2D in the right eye and +1D in the left eye. Visual acuity is normal in both eyes with correction, and fundus examination reveals normal retinal findings. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Anisometropia

Answer

Myopia

Answer

Amblyopia

Answer

Hyperopia

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Horner's Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Exophthalmos

Answer

Miosis

Answer

Ptosis

Answer

Anhidrosis

Question 3

Which of the following statements is correct regarding indirect ophthalmoscopy?

Accepted Answer

It provides 3-5x magnification.

Answer

The image is erect and real.

Answer

The condenser lens needs to be kept close to the eye.

Answer

It provides 15x magnification.

Question 4

A patient presents with right-sided field defects in both eyes, but central vision remains unaffected. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Homonymous Hemianopia with Macular Sparing

Answer

Optic Tract Lesion

Answer

Heteronymous Hemianopia with Central Sparing

Answer

Optic Chiasm Lesion

Question 5

A patient sustained blunt trauma to the eye 6 months ago and now presents with blurring of vision. What is the most likely condition?

Accepted Answer

Iridodialysis

Answer

Vossius Ring

Answer

Cycloiriditis

Answer

Ankyloblepharon

Question 6

A 5-month-old baby is brought by the mother with complaints of the left upper eyelid moving up and down during breastfeeding or thumb sucking, which disappears when the baby is not being fed. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Marcus Gunn Jaw-Winking Syndrome

Answer

Myasthenia Gravis

Answer

3rd CN palsy

Answer

Lagophthalmos

Question 7

A patient has a history of a flying metallic foreign body injury to the eye. On examination, there is evidence of intraocular metallic foreign body with progressive visual deterioration. Which of the following substances is most likely causing the toxic deposition in ocular tissues?

Accepted Answer

Iron

Answer

Glass

Answer

Aluminum

Answer

Wood

Question 8

A patient presents with vision problems and has a history of cataract surgery. OCT finding is shown below. What is the syndrome most likely associated with these findings?

Accepted Answer

Irvine-Gass Syndrome

Answer

Central Serous Retinopathy

Answer

Posner-Schlossman Syndrome

Answer

Elschnig Pearls

Question 9

The cover-uncover test is performed to diagnose various eye conditions. Which of the following is not detected by this test?

Accepted Answer

Amblyopia

Answer

Lateral Nystagmus

Answer

Manifest Squint

Answer

Latent Squint

Question 10

A 3-year-old child presents with epiphora, and probing reveals a soft block at 7 mm. What is the best treatment option for this condition?

Accepted Answer

Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR)

Answer

External Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

Answer

Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

Answer

Dacryocystectomy

FMGE 2025 — Ophthalmology