Squint and amblyopia: 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 · Squint and amblyopia

Sample item

A four-year-old child has a constant convergent squint of the right eye and reduced vision in that eye with no organic disease. After correction of any refractive error, what is the treatment of the amblyopia?

AReassurance, since the child will outgrow itBOcclusion (patching) of the better eyeCSquint surgery alone, with no occlusionDOcclusion of the amblyopic eye

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Occlusion (patching) of the better eye

Amblyopia is a cortical visual deficit from abnormal binocular input during the sensitive period of early childhood. Forcing use of the weaker eye by patching the fixing eye improves its vision, and treatment is most effective at young ages. Surgery aligns the eyes but does not by itself treat amblyopia.

Option by option

A. Reassurance, since the child will outgrow it
Amblyopia does not resolve with age and becomes harder to treat later.
B. Occlusion (patching) of the better eye (correct)
Correct. Patching the better eye makes the weak eye work and improves vision.
C. Squint surgery alone, with no occlusion
Surgery corrects alignment but does not restore the lost cortical vision.
D. Occlusion of the amblyopic eye
Patching the amblyopic eye would deepen the deficit.

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.

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Occlusion (patching) of the better eye. Amblyopia is a cortical visual deficit from abnormal binocular input during the sensitive period of early childhood.

Why is "Reassurance, since the child will outgrow it" not the answer?

Amblyopia does not resolve with age and becomes harder to treat later.

Why is "Squint surgery alone, with no occlusion" not the answer?

Surgery corrects alignment but does not restore the lost cortical vision.

Why is "Occlusion of the amblyopic eye" not the answer?

Patching the amblyopic eye would deepen the deficit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Squint and amblyopia in Ophthalmology. Forcing use of the weaker eye by patching the fixing eye improves its vision, and treatment is most effective at young ages. Surgery aligns the eyes but does not by itself treat amblyopia.

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 Squint and amblyopia?

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.