Vision and Ophthalmology Pediatric Ophthalmology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is amblyopia?
- Reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes not correctable by glasses alone (Correct answer)
- Inflammation of the optic nerve
- A structural defect of the cornea causing irregular astigmatism
- Complete loss of color vision
Correct answer: Reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes not correctable by glasses alone
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is reduced best-corrected visual acuity caused by abnormal visual development, not explained by structural ocular disease.
Question 2: What is the most common cause of amblyopia in children?
- Retinal detachment
- Strabismus (Correct answer)
- Congenital glaucoma
- Optic neuritis
Correct answer: Strabismus
Strabismic amblyopia is the most common form, occurring when the brain suppresses the image from a misaligned eye to avoid diplopia.
Question 3: At what age is the visual system most plastic and amblyopia treatment most effective?
- Birth to 6 months
- 1 to 3 years
- Under 7–8 years (Correct answer)
- Under 12 years
Correct answer: Under 7–8 years
The critical period for visual development closes around age 7–8; treatment is most effective before this window closes.
Question 4: Which type of strabismus involves an eye turning inward toward the nose?
- Exotropia
- Hypertropia
- Esotropia (Correct answer)
- Cyclotropia
Correct answer: Esotropia
Esotropia is defined as convergent strabismus—the eye deviates inward (toward the nose).
Question 5: The Hirschberg test assesses what in pediatric eye exams?
- Intraocular pressure
- Corneal light reflex symmetry to detect strabismus (Correct answer)
- Depth of the anterior chamber
- Retinal pigment distribution
Correct answer: Corneal light reflex symmetry to detect strabismus
The Hirschberg (corneal light reflex) test shines a light at the eyes and checks whether the reflected reflex is centered and symmetric, screening for strabismus.
Question 6: Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in which population?
- Adults over 60
- Adolescents aged 13–17
- Children under 5 years (Correct answer)
- Pregnant women
Correct answer: Children under 5 years
Retinoblastoma predominantly occurs in young children, typically presenting before age 5, and is the most common primary intraocular tumor in childhood.
Question 7: What is the cover-uncover test primarily used to detect?
- Refractive error
- Manifest (tropic) strabismus (Correct answer)
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Corneal foreign bodies
Correct answer: Manifest (tropic) strabismus
The cover-uncover test detects manifest strabismus: if the uncovered eye moves to take up fixation when the fellow eye is covered, a tropia is present.
