Optic neuropathy: Leber hereditary: 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 neuropathy: Leber hereditary

Sample item

A 22-year-old man has sequential painless central vision loss in both eyes with disc hyperaemia and peripapillary telangiectasia. How is this inherited?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mitochondrial inheritance

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy follows maternal transmission of mtDNA mutations, commonly 11778, 3460 and 14484. It is much commoner in males, and idebenone is used.

Option by option

  • A. Mitochondrial inheritance (correct)

    Correct. LHON is maternally inherited.

  • B. Autosomal recessive

    It is not autosomal recessive.

  • C. X-linked recessive

    LHON is not X-linked.

  • D. Autosomal dominant

    Dominant optic atrophy is a separate nuclear condition.

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 A, Mitochondrial inheritance. Leber hereditary optic neuropathy follows maternal transmission of mtDNA mutations, commonly 11778, 3460 and 14484.

Why is "Autosomal recessive" not the answer?

It is not autosomal recessive.

Why is "X-linked recessive" not the answer?

LHON is not X-linked.

Why is "Autosomal dominant" not the answer?

Dominant optic atrophy is a separate nuclear condition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Optic neuropathy: Leber hereditary in Ophthalmology. It is much commoner in males, and idebenone is used.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 neuropathy: Leber hereditary?

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.