Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

The amount of light information transmitted to the brain from one eye differs from that of the other eye, the patient has a...

1. retinal detachment

2. glaucoma

3. afferent pupillary defect or Marcus Gunn pupil

4. strabismus

The correct answer is: afferent pupillary defect or Marcus Gunn pupil

When the amount of light information transmitted to the brain differs between the two eyes, it indicates the presence of an afferent pupillary defect or a Marcus Gunn pupil. This condition is also known as relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD). It is characterized by the asymmetry of pupillary constriction in response to light stimulation in each eye. This sign is commonly observed in conditions that affect the optic nerve, such as optic neuritis or optic nerve damage. It is essential to identify and evaluate afferent pupillary defects promptly, as they can be indicative of serious underlying eye conditions that require further investigation and management. Option A, retinal detachment, involves the separation of the retina from its underlying layers, causing vision disturbances but is not directly related to asymmetrical light transmission to the brain. Option B, glaucoma, is a condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss but is not typically associated with asymmetric light transmission differences between the eyes. Option D, strabismus, refers to misalignment of the eyes, causing issues with binocular vision and depth perception, but it is not linked to differences in light information transmitted to the brain.