Diseases of the Retina Practice Questions

Q: Snow banking is seen in?

Intermediate uveitis. ***Intermediate uveitis*** - **Snow banking** refers to the accumulation of inflammatory exudates on the surface of the **pars plana** and **ora serrata**, a characteristic sign of intermediate uveitis. - This condition primarily affects the **vitreous** and peripheral retina, often leading to symptoms like **floaters** and **decreased vision**. *White coat syndrome* - This refers to a phenomenon where a patient's **blood pressure is elevated** in a clinical setting due to anxiety, but is normal outside of the medical environment. - It has no ophthalmic manifestations or association with "snow banking." *Eales syndrome* - This is an idiopathic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the **peripheral retinal vasculature**, leading to **vasculitis**, occlusion, and neovascularization. - While it can cause vitreous hemorrhage, it does not typically present with "snow banking" as a primary feature. *Diabetic kidney disease* - This is a complication of **diabetes mellitus** characterized by damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to impaired kidney function. - It is a systemic condition with no direct relationship to ocular "snow banking" or uveitis.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a feature of CMV retinitis?

Cracked mud appearance. ***Cracked mud appearance*** - **"Cracked mud appearance"** is not a term used to describe CMV retinitis. The classic descriptions include **"pizza pie"**, **"cottage cheese and ketchup"**, and **"brush-fire"** appearances. - CMV retinitis presents with **necrotizing retinitis** with hemorrhages and granular opacification, not a cracked or atrophic pattern. - This option describes a **non-existent finding** in the context of CMV retinitis. *Immunosuppression* - **Immunosuppression**, especially due to **HIV/AIDS** (CD4 count <50 cells/μL), organ transplantation, or chemotherapy, is a **primary risk factor** for CMV retinitis. - It is crucial for the **reactivation** of latent CMV infection, leading to opportunistic disease. - While technically a predisposing condition rather than a "feature" of the disease itself, it is strongly associated with CMV retinitis. *Brush-fire appearance* - The **"brush-fire appearance"** is a classic description of CMV retinitis, referring to the **active leading edge** of the infection with confluent areas of necrosis and hemorrhage spreading across the retina. - This term captures the **fulminant necrotizing retinitis** with yellow-white retinal opacification and hemorrhages. *Perivasculitis* - **Perivasculitis**, or inflammation around the retinal blood vessels, is a **characteristic pathological feature** of CMV retinitis. - It often manifests as **frosted branch angiitis** (white sheathing around retinal vessels), which can be seen in severe cases.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Neovascularization. ***Neovascularization (Correct Answer)*** - **Neovascularization** is the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels and is a defining characteristic of **proliferative diabetic retinopathy**, not non-proliferative. - These fragile new vessels can bleed, leading to **vitreous hemorrhage** or retinal detachment, which are severe complications. *Microaneurysm (Incorrect)* - **Microaneurysms** are characteristic of **non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy**, appearing as small, red dots on the retina due to outpouchings of capillary walls. - They are often the **earliest clinically detectable sign** of diabetic retinopathy. *Hard exudates (Incorrect)* - **Hard exudates** are yellowish-white deposits in the retina, indicative of **non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy**, often due to leakage from damaged capillaries. - They represent **lipid and protein leakage** from incompetent retinal capillaries. *Macular edema (Incorrect)* - **Macular edema** is a common complication in both non-proliferative and proliferative stages, characterized by fluid accumulation in the **macula**. - It results from **leakage from damaged blood vessels** and is the most common cause of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy.

Q: The most common cause of vitreous hemorrhage in adults is

Diabetes. ***Diabetes*** - **Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)** leads to the formation of new, fragile blood vessels (neovascularization) on the retinal surface or optic disc. - These new vessels are prone to bleeding into the **vitreous cavity**, making diabetes the most common cause of vitreous hemorrhage in adults. *Retinal hole* - A retinal hole or tear can lead to **rhegmatogenous retinal detachment** but does not commonly cause significant vitreous hemorrhage on its own. - While a tear can sometimes be associated with a small amount of hemorrhage, it is not the MOST common cause of widespread vitreous bleeding. *Trauma* - **Ocular trauma**, such as blunt or penetrating injuries, can certainly cause vitreous hemorrhage due to direct damage to retinal or choroidal blood vessels. - However, in the general adult population, **systemic diseases** like diabetes are statistically more frequent causes of spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage than acute trauma. *Hypertension* - Severe **hypertensive retinopathy** can cause retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms, and cotton wool spots, but it typically does not lead to large-volume vitreous hemorrhage. - While hypertension can contribute to the severity of other retinal conditions, it is not the primary direct cause of vitreous hemorrhage itself.

Q: Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by ?

Loss of peripheral vision. ***Loss of peripheral vision*** - Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic disorders that cause **progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells**, primarily rods, which are concentrated in the periphery of the retina. - This degeneration leads to a gradual **loss of peripheral vision**, often beginning with **night blindness** and progressing to tunnel vision. *Loss of central vision* - Loss of central vision is characteristic of conditions affecting the **macula**, such as **age-related macular degeneration** or certain forms of **macular dystrophy**. - While later stages of retinitis pigmentosa can affect central vision, the initial and primary characteristic is loss of peripheral vision. *Tubular vision* - **Tubular vision** is an advanced stage of peripheral vision loss, where the visual field shrinks to a narrow central area, resembling looking through a tube. - While it can be a consequence of retinitis pigmentosa, it is a description of the **extent of visual field constriction** rather than the primary characteristic of the disease itself. *Visual field constriction* - **Visual field constriction** is a general term for any reduction in the extent of the visual field. - While retinitis pigmentosa certainly causes visual field constriction, the term "loss of peripheral vision" is more specific to the initial and dominant pattern of vision loss in this condition.

Q: Birdshot retinopathy is characterized by all except?

Unilateral. ***Unilateral*** - **Birdshot retinopathy** is characteristically a **bilateral** inflammatory condition affecting both eyes, even if the onset may be asymmetric. - The disease involves widespread inflammation of the **choroid** and **retina**, typically presenting in both eyes simultaneously or sequentially. - Unilateral presentation would be highly atypical and should prompt consideration of alternative diagnoses. *Common in females* - Birdshot retinopathy shows a **clear female predominance**, with approximately **2-3 times more females affected than males** (60-75% of cases). - This demographic trend is a well-established feature of the disease. - However, it does occur in both sexes and is still considered characteristic of the condition. *HLA-A29 positive* - A strong association with the **HLA-A29 allele** is a hallmark of birdshot retinopathy, found in **over 95% of affected individuals**. - This genetic marker is highly specific and often used to support the diagnosis. - HLA-A29 testing is considered part of the diagnostic workup. *Creamy yellow spots* - The presence of characteristic **creamy yellow-white choroidal lesions**, resembling birdshot scatter, is a defining clinical feature. - These lesions are typically located in the **mid-peripheral and posterior fundus**, distributed radially around the optic disc. - The "birdshot" appearance refers to the scattered pattern resembling shotgun pellet distribution.

Q: Which of the following conditions is NOT diagnosed by fluorescein angiography?

Hypertensive retinopathy. ***Hypertensive retinopathy*** - This condition is primarily diagnosed by **clinical fundoscopic examination**, not fluorescein angiography - Diagnosis is based on characteristic clinical findings: **arteriovenous nicking, copper/silver wire arterioles, cotton-wool spots, flame-shaped hemorrhages, and papilledema** in severe cases - **Fluorescein angiography** is rarely needed and only used in research settings or to assess severe complications; it is **not a standard diagnostic tool** for hypertensive retinopathy *Diabetic retinopathy* - **Fluorescein angiography** is extensively used for diagnosing and staging diabetic retinopathy - It helps identify **microaneurysms, capillary non-perfusion areas, macular edema, and neovascularization** - Essential for detecting **proliferative diabetic retinopathy** and planning laser photocoagulation *Central serous retinopathy* - **Fluorescein angiography** shows characteristic **"smokestack" or "inkblot" pattern** of leakage at the RPE level - Demonstrates one or more **leakage points** with progressive pooling of dye in the subretinal space - While **OCT** is now preferred for initial diagnosis, FA remains valuable for identifying leakage sites and guiding treatment *Choroidal neovascularization* - **Fluorescein angiography** is the gold standard for diagnosing **choroidal neovascularization (CNV)** - Shows **early hyperfluorescence with progressive leakage** from abnormal vessels - Critical for determining the **type (classic vs occult), location, and extent** of CNV for treatment planning

Q: What is the first clinical sign observed in a patient with anterior uveitis?

Presence of aqueous flare. ***Presence of aqueous flare*** - **Aqueous flare** is considered the **earliest clinical sign** of anterior uveitis, representing increased protein content in the anterior chamber due to breakdown of the **blood-aqueous barrier**. - It is detected as a visible "haze" when a **slit lamp beam** passes through the anterior chamber, similar to observing dust particles in a light beam. *Presence of hypopyon* - **Hypopyon** is a more severe sign, indicating a **layer of white blood cells** in the anterior chamber, representing a more advanced inflammatory process. - While it can occur in severe anterior uveitis, it is not typically the **first or earliest** clinical manifestation. *Presence of miosis* - **Miosis** (pupillary constriction) can be present in anterior uveitis due to **iris inflammation** and irritation of the sphincter muscle. - However, it is an indirect sign and typically occurs *after* the initial signs of inflammation in the aqueous humor, such as flare. *Presence of keratic precipitates* - **Keratic precipitates (KPs)** are deposits of inflammatory cells on the **endothelium of the cornea**. - These deposits are a result of sustained inflammation and typically appear *after* the initial inflammatory changes in the aqueous humor, such as flare, have already occurred.

Q: Shaffer's sign is seen in ?

Retinal detachment. ***Retinal detachment*** - **Shaffer's sign** refers to the presence of **pigment cells** (tobacco dust) in the **anterior vitreous**, indicating a retinal break or detachment. - This sign is due to the release of retinal pigment epithelium cells into the vitreous following a tear in the retina. *Acute angle-closure glaucoma* - This condition is characterized by a **sudden increase in intraocular pressure** due to blocked fluid outflow, causing pain, redness, and blurred vision. - It does not involve pigment cells in the vitreous, but rather changes in the **anterior chamber angle**. *Diabetic retinopathy* - This is a microvascular complication of diabetes, leading to damage to the blood vessels in the retina, causing **hemorrhages**, **exudates**, and **neovascularization**. - It does not typically present with free pigment in the vitreous as a primary diagnostic sign. *Age-related macular degeneration* - This condition affects the **macula**, often causing distorted vision and central vision loss, and is characterized by drusen and atrophy. - While it can involve retinal changes, it does not classically present with pigment cells in the vitreous as a diagnostic indicator.

Q: What is Eales disease?

Recurrent periphlebitis retinae. **Recurrent periphlebitis retinae** - **Eales disease** is an idiopathic inflammatory condition characterized by **recurrent periphlebitis retinae**, particularly affecting the peripheral retinal veins. - It can lead to **retinal ischemia**, neovascularization, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. *Recurrent optic neuritis* - **Optic neuritis** is inflammation of the optic nerve, typically causing acute vision loss and pain with eye movement. - It is a common manifestation of **multiple sclerosis** but is not the primary definition of Eales disease. *Recurrent papilloedema* - **Papilledema** is swelling of the optic disc due to increased intracranial pressure. - While it can cause visual disturbances, it is a distinct condition and not the defining characteristic of Eales disease. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because "Recurrent periphlebitis retinae" accurately describes Eales disease.

Question 1

Snow banking is seen in?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate uveitis

Answer

White coat syndrome

Answer

Eales syndrome

Answer

Diabetic kidney disease

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a feature of CMV retinitis?

Accepted Answer

Cracked mud appearance

Answer

Perivasculitis

Answer

Brush-fire appearance

Answer

Immunosuppression

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Accepted Answer

Neovascularization

Answer

Hard exudates

Answer

Macular edema

Answer

Microaneurysm

Question 4

The most common cause of vitreous hemorrhage in adults is

Accepted Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Retinal hole

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Hypertension

Question 5

Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by ?

Accepted Answer

Loss of peripheral vision

Answer

Loss of central vision

Answer

Visual field constriction

Answer

Tubular vision

Question 6

Birdshot retinopathy is characterized by all except?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral

Answer

Common in females

Answer

Creamy yellow spots

Answer

HLA-A29 positive

Question 7

Which of the following conditions is NOT diagnosed by fluorescein angiography?

Accepted Answer

Hypertensive retinopathy

Answer

Diabetes retinopathy

Answer

Central serous retinopathy

Answer

Choroidal neovascularization

Question 8

What is the first clinical sign observed in a patient with anterior uveitis?

Accepted Answer

Presence of aqueous flare

Answer

Presence of hypopyon

Answer

Presence of miosis

Answer

Presence of keratic precipitates

Question 9

Shaffer's sign is seen in ?

Accepted Answer

Retinal detachment

Answer

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Answer

Diabetic retinopathy

Answer

Age-related macular degeneration

Question 10

What is Eales disease?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent periphlebitis retinae

Answer

Recurrent optic neuritis

Answer

Recurrent papilloedema

Answer

None of the options

Diseases of the Retina — MCQs

Diseases of the Retina — MCQs

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