Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders & Visual Function Testing Flashcards

A right CN IV palsy typically causes the right eye to be:

Answer: Hypertropic, with compensatory head tilt to the left

A right CN IV palsy causes right hypertropia; the patient tilts the head to the left (away from the affected side) to reduce diplopia.

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is transmitted via:

Answer: Mitochondrial (maternal) inheritance

LHON is caused by mitochondrial DNA point mutations (most commonly m.11778G>A) and is maternally inherited.

The cover-uncover test is designed to detect:

Answer: Heterotropia (manifest strabismus)

The cover-uncover test detects manifest strabismus (heterotropia) by observing the uncovered eye for a refixation movement while one eye is covered.

Which condition is associated with a 'sunrise' or 'sunset' sign of the eyes in infants?

Answer: Hydrocephalus causing Parinaud syndrome

The setting-sun sign—tonic downward deviation of both eyes—is caused by dorsal midbrain compression from hydrocephalus in infants.

Pattern ERG (PERG) is particularly useful for evaluating function of:

Answer: Retinal ganglion cells and the macular region

PERG reflects retinal ganglion cell function and macular integrity, making it valuable in differentiating optic nerve from macular disease.

Pupillary light-near dissociation (pupils react to near but not light) is classically seen in:

Answer: Argyll Robertson pupils from neurosyphilis

Argyll Robertson pupils are small, irregular pupils that react to near stimulation but not to direct light, classically caused by neurosyphilis.

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) measure the electrical response generated primarily by which structure?

Answer: Primary visual cortex (V1)

Pattern VEPs record the cortical electrical response to structured visual stimuli and reflect the integrity of the entire visual pathway to the primary visual cortex.