Squint: 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

Sample item

In a child fixing a torchlight with the right eye, the corneal light reflex in the left eye falls at the pupillary margin on the temporal side. What does this indicate about the left eye?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Esotropia of about 15 degrees

In the Hirschberg test the reflex falls displaced away from the direction of deviation. A temporal displacement means the eye is turned inward, and a reflex at the pupil margin corresponds to about 15 degrees, while one at the limbus corresponds to about 45 degrees.

Option by option

  • A. Exotropia of about 15 degrees

    Exotropia would displace the reflex nasally, not temporally.

  • B. Esotropia of about 15 degrees (correct)

    A temporally displaced reflex means the eye has turned inward, and the pupillary margin corresponds to about 15 degrees.

  • C. Exotropia of about 45 degrees

    Exotropia would displace the reflex nasally, and 45 degrees would put the reflex at the limbus.

  • D. Esotropia of about 45 degrees

    A reflex at the limbus, not the pupil margin, would indicate a deviation of about 45 degrees.

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 B, Esotropia of about 15 degrees. In the Hirschberg test the reflex falls displaced away from the direction of deviation.

Why is "Exotropia of about 15 degrees" not the answer?

Exotropia would displace the reflex nasally, not temporally.

Why is "Exotropia of about 45 degrees" not the answer?

Exotropia would displace the reflex nasally, and 45 degrees would put the reflex at the limbus.

Why is "Esotropia of about 45 degrees" not the answer?

A reflex at the limbus, not the pupil margin, would indicate a deviation of about 45 degrees.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Squint in Ophthalmology. A temporal displacement means the eye is turned inward, and a reflex at the pupil margin corresponds to about 15 degrees, while one at the limbus corresponds to about 45 degrees.

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 Squint?

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.