Optic nerve disorders: 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 · Optic nerve disorders

Sample item

Which symptom pattern is typical of optic neuritis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pain on eye movement with reduced color vision

Optic neuritis often causes subacute monocular visual loss, pain on eye movement, reduced color saturation, and a relative afferent pupillary defect; it warrants assessment for inflammatory and demyelinating causes.

Option by option

  • A. Gradual hearing loss in noise

    Hearing loss does not localize to the optic nerve.

  • B. Postural dizziness lasting seconds

    Brief positional dizziness is a vestibular symptom.

  • C. Pain on eye movement with reduced color vision (correct)

    Correct: painful eye movement with color desaturation strongly suggests optic neuritis.

  • D. Painless itchy discharge from both eyes

    Itchy bilateral discharge fits conjunctivitis rather than optic nerve inflammation.

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 C, Pain on eye movement with reduced color vision. Optic neuritis often causes subacute monocular visual loss, pain on eye movement, reduced color saturation, and a relative afferent pupillary defect; it warrants assessment for inflammatory and demyelinating causes.

Why is "Gradual hearing loss in noise" not the answer?

Hearing loss does not localize to the optic nerve.

Why is "Postural dizziness lasting seconds" not the answer?

Brief positional dizziness is a vestibular symptom.

Why is "Painless itchy discharge from both eyes" not the answer?

Itchy bilateral discharge fits conjunctivitis rather than optic nerve inflammation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Optic nerve disorders in Ophthalmology. The correct option holds because: Correct: painful eye movement with color desaturation strongly suggests optic neuritis.

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 Optic nerve disorders?

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.