Diseases of the Retina — MCQs

Diseases of the Retina Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 551: What is the primary predisposing factor for retinopathy of prematurity?

A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Carbohydrate excess
C. Low birth weight
D. Low gestational age (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Low gestational age*** - **Prematurity** is the most significant risk factor, as the **retinal vasculature** is still immature and susceptible to abnormal development. - The earlier the gestational age, the **higher the risk** of ROP developing and progressing to severe stages. *Low birth weight* - While strongly correlated with ROP, **low birth weight** is often a consequence of prematurity rather than the primary predisposing factor itself. - Many term infants can have low birth weight due to **intrauterine growth restriction** but do not typically develop ROP. *Oxygen toxicity* - **Supplemental oxygen** can exacerbate ROP by causing initial **vasoconstriction** and subsequent abnormal vessel proliferation. - However, it acts as a secondary trigger in an already vulnerable, premature retina, not the primary predisposing factor. *Carbohydrate excess* - **Carbohydrate excess** is not a recognized predisposing factor for retinopathy of prematurity. - This condition is primarily related to the **vascular development of the retina** in premature infants.

Question 552: Which of the following statements is false regarding Eale's disease?

A. Optic neuritis (Correct Answer)
B. AKT is given
C. Vitreous Hemorrhage
D. Retinal detachment may occur

Explanation: ***Correct Answer: Optic neuritis*** - This statement is **false** because **Eale's disease** is a **peripheral retinal vasculitis** (periphlebitis) that primarily affects the **peripheral retinal veins**. - The condition does **NOT involve the optic nerve**, and **optic neuritis is NOT a recognized feature or complication** of Eale's disease. - The disease process is confined to the retinal vasculature and does not extend anteriorly to involve the optic disc or nerve in typical cases. *AKT is given* - While the exact etiology of Eale's disease remains uncertain, there is a **historical and clinical association with tuberculosis**, particularly in TB-endemic regions like India. - In clinical practice, **anti-tubercular therapy (ATT/AKT) is often empirically administered** when TB cannot be ruled out or when there is suspicion of systemic TB. - Some studies suggest ATT may help reduce inflammation and prevent recurrence in selected cases. *Vitreous Hemorrhage* - This is a **hallmark complication** of Eale's disease, particularly in stage 3 (proliferative stage). - **Recurrent vitreous hemorrhage** occurs due to rupture of fragile neovascular vessels that form in response to retinal ischemia. - It is one of the most common presentations requiring intervention. *Retinal detachment may occur* - **Tractional retinal detachment** is a recognized complication resulting from contraction of **fibrovascular proliferative membranes**. - **Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment** can also occur if vitreoretinal traction causes retinal breaks. - Both types may require surgical intervention (vitrectomy).

Question 553: Which cells in the retina are primarily affected by methanol toxicity?

A. Photoreceptor cells
B. Bipolar cells
C. Horizontal cells
D. Ganglion cells of the retina (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Ganglion cells of the retina*** - Methanol toxicity, specifically its metabolite **formic acid**, selectively targets and damages **retinal ganglion cells**. - This damage leads to **optic neuropathy** and can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. *Photoreceptor cells* - These cells (rods and cones) are responsible for light detection but are generally **not primarily affected** by methanol toxicity. - While severe toxicity can lead to widespread retinal damage, initial and primary damage is to the ganglion cells. *Bipolar cells* - Bipolar cells transmit signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells but are **not the primary target** of methanol's toxic effects. - Their damage would typically be secondary to severe, prolonged methanol poisoning. *Horizontal cells* - Horizontal cells are involved in lateral inhibition and signal processing within the retina but are **not selectively vulnerable** to methanol toxicity. - Damage to these cells is not a defining feature of methanol-induced vision loss.

Question 554: Fluorescein angiography is used to examine -

A. Ciliary vasculature
B. Retinal vasculature (Correct Answer)
C. Corneal vasculature
D. Conjunctival vasculature

Explanation: ***Retinal vasculature*** - **Fluorescein angiography** involves injecting fluorescein dye into a vein and taking rapid photographs of the retina as the dye perfuses, allowing for detailed visualization of the **retinal blood vessels**. - This technique is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring conditions like **diabetic retinopathy**, **macular degeneration**, and **retinal vascular occlusions** by identifying leaks, non-perfusion areas, and abnormal vessel growth. *Ciliary vasculature* - The **ciliary body vasculature** is not directly visualized by standard fluorescein angiography as it is located anterior to the retina within the uveal tract. - While some dye may perfuse the ciliary body, the primary imaging target and diagnostic utility of fluorescein angiography are the **retinal and choroidal circulations**. *Corneal vasculature* - The normal **cornea is avascular**, meaning it does not contain blood vessels. - **Corneal neovascularization** (new vessel growth) can occur due to pathology, but fluorescein angiography is not the primary or most suitable technique for assessing corneal vessels, which are more readily visible with slit-lamp biomicroscopy. *Conjunctival vasculature* - The **conjunctiva** contains numerous small vessels, but these are superficial and can be directly observed with a slit lamp or even the naked eye. - Fluorescein angiography is an invasive procedure with a higher spatial resolution designed for deeper, more intricate vascular networks like those in the retina, making it overkill and inappropriate for routine assessment of the **conjunctival vasculature**.

Question 555: The most common cause of vitreous hemorrhage in adults is

A. Retinal hole
B. Trauma
C. Hypertension
D. Diabetes (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***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.

Question 556: Snow banking is seen in?

A. White coat syndrome
B. Eales syndrome
C. Diabetic kidney disease
D. Intermediate uveitis (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***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.

Question 557: What condition is characterized by an "umbrella" configuration on fluorescein angiography?

A. Retinitis pigmentosa
B. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
C. Central serous retinopathy (Correct Answer)
D. Eale's disease

Explanation: ***Central serous retinopathy*** - The "umbrella" or "smokestack" configuration on **fluorescein angiography** is a classic finding in central serous retinopathy, indicating leakage of dye creating a mushroom-shaped plume. - This leakage originates from the **retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)** into the subretinal space, causing serous detachment of the neurosensory retina. *Retinitis pigmentosa* - Characterized by **progressive photoreceptor degeneration** and **pigmentary changes** in the retina, often described as "bone-spicule" pigmentation. - Fluorescein angiography in retinitis pigmentosa typically shows **atrophy** and **window defects**, not an umbrella pattern of leakage. *Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment* - Involves a **full-thickness break in the retina** that allows vitreous fluid to pass into the subretinal space, causing the retina to detach. - Fluorescein angiography is generally not used for primary diagnosis and would not show an umbrella pattern, but rather **non-perfusion** or vascular changes in the detached area. *Eale's disease* - A rare **idiopathic obliterative periphlebitis** primarily affecting the retinal veins, leading to recurrent vitreous hemorrhages and retinal neovascularization. - Fluorescein angiography would reveal **vascular sheathing**, **non-perfusion**, and **neovascularization**, which are distinct from the umbrella configuration.

Question 558: Which of the following is not a cause of exudative retinal detachment?

A. Scleritis
B. Toxemia of pregnancy
C. High myopia (Correct Answer)
D. Central serous retinopathy

Explanation: ***High myopia*** - **High myopia** is a risk factor for **rhegmatogenous retinal detachment**, which is caused by a retinal break, not by fluid accumulation from a vascular or inflammatory process. - In rhegmatogenous detachment, vitreous fluid passes through the break into the subretinal space, separating the **neurosensory retina** from the **retinal pigment epithelium**. *Toxemia of pregnancy* - **Toxemia of pregnancy** (preeclampsia/eclampsia) can cause **exudative retinal detachment** due to choroidal ischemia and dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium, leading to fluid leakage. - The elevated **blood pressure** and systemic vascular changes impair choroidal perfusion, resulting in serous fluid accumulation beneath the retina. *Scleritis* - **Posterior scleritis** can lead to **exudative retinal detachment** by causing inflammation and edema of the choroid and sclera, which in turn compromises the integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium. - The inflammatory process increases vascular permeability, allowing fluid to leak into the subretinal space. *Central serous retinopathy* - **Central serous retinopathy** is a classic example of **exudative retinal detachment**, characterized by serous fluid accumulation under the macula. - This occurs due to dysfunction or a break in the **retinal pigment epithelium**, often associated with stress and corticosteroid use, leading to fluid leakage from the choroid.

Question 559: Commotio retinae affects which part of the retina -

A. Posterior pole (Correct Answer)
B. Peripheral retina
C. Inferior-nasal part
D. Superior-nasal part

Explanation: ***Posterior pole*** - **Commotio retinae**, also known as Berlin's edema, primarily affects the **posterior pole** of the retina, particularly the macula. - This condition results from **blunt trauma** to the globe, causing disruption of the outer retinal photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium, leading to retinal whitening in the area of impact. *Peripheral retina* - While blunt trauma can affect the peripheral retina, commotio retinae specifically refers to the **edematous whitening** that occurs more centrally. - Trauma to the periphery is more commonly associated with **retinal tears or detachments**, rather than the diffuse whitening seen in commotio retinae. *Inferior-nasal part* - This is a specific quadrant of the retina, but commotio retinae is not confined to or preferentially found in the **inferior-nasal part**. - The location of commotio retinae depends on the **point of impact** and the transmission of force, but symptoms are most prominent when the macula at the posterior pole is involved. *Superior-nasal part* - Similar to the inferior-nasal part, the **superior-nasal part** is a specific retinal quadrant. - Commotio retinae is a more generalized finding of retinal edema and whitening due to trauma, not consistently localized to this particular region, though it can occur if that area is directly impacted.

Question 560: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

A. Neovascularization (Correct Answer)
B. Hard exudates
C. Macular edema
D. Microaneurysm

Explanation: ***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.

Practice by Chapter

Retinal Anatomy and Physiology

Practice Questions

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Practice Questions

Diabetic Retinopathy

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Retinal Vascular Diseases

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Retinal Detachment

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Hereditary Retinal Dystrophies

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Inflammatory Retinal Diseases

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Retinal Tumors

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Retinopathy of Prematurity

Practice Questions

Retinal Imaging Techniques

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Intravitreal Pharmacotherapy

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Vitreoretinal Surgery

Practice Questions

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