Uvea: CMV retinitis treatment: 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 · Uvea: CMV retinitis treatment

Sample item

Which regimen is appropriate for a patient with sight-threatening CMV retinitis and AIDS?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Systemic or intravitreal ganciclovir with antiretroviral therapy

Treatment involves anti-CMV therapy (valganciclovir orally, or intravitreal ganciclovir) and immune reconstitution with ART. Steroids worsen the infection. Immune recovery uveitis can occur once CD4 improves.

Option by option

  • A. Intravitreal triamcinolone

    Triamcinolone is not treatment for infection.

  • B. Oral acyclovir alone

    Acyclovir is not active enough against CMV.

  • C. Topical steroids only

    Steroids alone would worsen CMV.

  • D. Systemic or intravitreal ganciclovir with antiretroviral therapy (correct)

    Correct. Antivirals with ART control the disease.

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 D, Systemic or intravitreal ganciclovir with antiretroviral therapy. Treatment involves anti-CMV therapy (valganciclovir orally, or intravitreal ganciclovir) and immune reconstitution with ART.

Why is "Intravitreal triamcinolone" not the answer?

Triamcinolone is not treatment for infection.

Why is "Oral acyclovir alone" not the answer?

Acyclovir is not active enough against CMV.

Why is "Topical steroids only" not the answer?

Steroids alone would worsen CMV.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Uvea: CMV retinitis treatment in Ophthalmology. Steroids worsen the infection. Immune recovery uveitis can occur once CD4 improves.

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 Uvea: CMV retinitis treatment?

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.