Ocular motility: 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 · Ocular motility

Sample item

Which symptom is typical of a trochlear nerve palsy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Vertical diplopia worse when looking down stairs

Trochlear palsy weakens superior oblique, causing vertical diplopia that worsens on looking down and in, such as reading or descending stairs.

Option by option

  • A. Vertical diplopia worse when looking down stairs (correct)

    Correct: downgaze diplopia is a classic fourth-nerve complaint.

  • B. Loss of peripheral vision with halos

    Halos indicate corneal oedema or angle closure.

  • C. Horizontal diplopia worse on distant gaze

    Distant horizontal diplopia suggests sixth-nerve dysfunction.

  • D. Painful red eye with fixed pupil

    Fixed-pupil painful eye suggests acute angle closure.

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 A, Vertical diplopia worse when looking down stairs. Trochlear palsy weakens superior oblique, causing vertical diplopia that worsens on looking down and in, such as reading or descending stairs.

Why is "Loss of peripheral vision with halos" not the answer?

Halos indicate corneal oedema or angle closure.

Why is "Horizontal diplopia worse on distant gaze" not the answer?

Distant horizontal diplopia suggests sixth-nerve dysfunction.

Why is "Painful red eye with fixed pupil" not the answer?

Fixed-pupil painful eye suggests acute angle closure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ocular motility in Ophthalmology. The correct option holds because: Correct: downgaze diplopia is a classic fourth-nerve complaint.

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 Ocular motility?

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.