Growth and development: squint and vision screening: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Growth and development: squint and vision screening

Sample item

A 2-year-old's mother notes that one eye looks turned in. A torch held at arm's length shows the corneal light reflex at the centre of the right pupil but displaced toward the temporal side in the left. If the problem is not corrected, which complication threatens permanent visual loss?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Amblyopia of the deviating left eye

The Hirschberg corneal reflex test shows the deviated eye, here an esotropia. The brain suppresses the image of the deviating eye to avoid double vision, and in a young child with immature visual development this leads to amblyopia. Treatment is early refractive correction and occlusion of the fixing eye.

Option by option

  • A. Amblyopia of the deviating left eye (correct)

    Correct. Cortical suppression of the deviating eye during the sensitive period causes amblyopia.

  • B. Retinal detachment of the left eye

    Detachment is not a consequence of ocular misalignment.

  • C. Optic atrophy of the left eye

    Optic atrophy follows optic nerve disease, not simple strabismus.

  • D. Congenital glaucoma of both eyes

    Glaucoma is unrelated to squint and would present with large corneas and epiphora.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Amblyopia of the deviating left eye. The Hirschberg corneal reflex test shows the deviated eye, here an esotropia.

Why is "Retinal detachment of the left eye" not the answer?

Detachment is not a consequence of ocular misalignment.

Why is "Optic atrophy of the left eye" not the answer?

Optic atrophy follows optic nerve disease, not simple strabismus.

Why is "Congenital glaucoma of both eyes" not the answer?

Glaucoma is unrelated to squint and would present with large corneas and epiphora.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: squint and vision screening in Pediatrics. The brain suppresses the image of the deviating eye to avoid double vision, and in a young child with immature visual development this leads to amblyopia. Treatment is early refractive correction and occlusion of the fixing eye.

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 Growth and development: squint and vision screening?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.