Embryology of Eye MCQs – 80 high-yield questions with answers on embryonic origins and milestones of eye development. Designed for NEET PG, NEXT, AIIMS & MRCSEd Ophthalmology preparation.

1. Lens develops from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Surface ectoderm ✅
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Lens placode is surface ectodermal.


2. Retina develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neuroectoderm ✅
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Retina arises from optic cup (neuroectoderm).


3. Retinal pigment epithelium develops from:
A. Outer layer of optic cup ✅
B. Inner layer of optic cup
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Outer thin wall of optic cup forms RPE.


4. Corneal epithelium origin:
A. Surface ectoderm ✅
B. Mesoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Epithelium is ectodermal.


5. Corneal endothelium and stroma derive from:
A. Neural crest cells ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm only
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Neural crest → corneal stroma + endothelium.


6. Iris epithelium originates from:
A. Neuroectoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Surface ectoderm
Exp: Both pigmented & non-pigmented layers from optic cup.

7. Iris stroma develops from:
A. Neural crest cells ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm only
D. Surface ectoderm
Exp: Stroma & melanocytes → neural crest.


8. Iris muscles (sphincter & dilator pupillae) develop from:
A. Neuroectoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Surface ectoderm
Exp: Rare case of smooth muscle from neuroectoderm.


9. Ciliary body epithelium develops from:
A. Neuroectoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Ciliary epithelium from optic cup.


10. Ciliary body stroma & muscle develop from:
A. Neural crest ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Neural crest → stroma, smooth muscle.

11. Sclera develops from:
A. Mesenchyme (neural crest + mesoderm) ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Mesenchyme around optic cup forms sclera.


12. Choroid develops from:
A. Mesenchyme surrounding optic cup ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Vascular mesenchymal layer → choroid.


13. Extraocular muscles originate from:
A. Pre-otic mesoderm ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Muscles from paraxial mesoderm.


14. Orbital bones develop from:
A. Neural crest + mesoderm ✅
B. Neuroectoderm only
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Orbit bones mesenchymal in origin.


15. Tenon’s capsule develops from:
A. Mesenchyme ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Fibrous tissue sheath from mesenchyme.

16. Eyelid epithelium develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Eyelid covering from ectoderm.


17. Eyelid connective tissue develops from:
A. Neural crest ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Stroma from neural crest mesenchyme.


18. Meibomian glands develop from:
A. Surface ectoderm (sebaceous) ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Mesoderm
Exp: Modified sebaceous glands of ectoderm.


19. Lacrimal gland develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Ectodermal invagination in superotemporal orbit.


20. Nasolacrimal duct develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Ectodermal cord between maxillary & lateral nasal processes.

21. Eye development begins:
A. 3rd week of gestation ✅
B. 5th week
C. 8th week
D. 12th week
Exp: Optic vesicle appears in week 3.


22. Lens placode appears:
A. 4th week ✅
B. 6th week
C. 8th week
D. 10th week
Exp: Surface ectoderm thickens by week 4.


23. Closure of embryonic fissure:
A. 5th–6th week ✅
B. 8th week
C. Birth
D. 10th week
Exp: Fissure closes by 6th week.


24. Hyaloid artery regresses by:
A. Birth ✅
B. 6 months
C. 3 months postnatal
D. 1 year
Exp: Normally disappears before birth.


25. Eyelid fusion occurs at:
A. 2nd month ✅
B. 4th month
C. 6th month
D. Birth
Exp: Eyelids fuse at ~2 months.

26. Eyelid reopening occurs at:
A. 6th month of gestation ✅
B. 4th month
C. Birth
D. 2nd month
Exp: Reopen at ~6th month fetal life.


27. Pupillary light reflex appears by:
A. 30 weeks gestation ✅
B. 20 weeks
C. Birth only
D. 6 months
Exp: Reflex appears in utero by 30 weeks.


28. Tears secretion starts at:
A. 3 months after birth ✅
B. At birth
C. 6 months after birth
D. 1 year
Exp: Functional lacrimal gland at ~3 months postnatal.


29. Myelination of optic nerve completes by:
A. 1 year ✅
B. Birth
C. 6 months
D. 4 years
Exp: Myelination complete in infancy.


30. Foveal maturation completes by:
A. 4 years ✅
B. 1 year
C. 6 months
D. Birth
Exp: Fovea develops fully by ~4 years.

31. Coloboma results from:
A. Failure of embryonic fissure closure ✅
B. Persistence of hyaloid artery
C. Arrested vesicle growth
D. Surface ectoderm defect
Exp: Inferior coloboma common.


32. Anophthalmos results from:
A. Failure of optic vesicle formation ✅
B. Closure defect
C. Lens placode failure
D. Neural crest defect
Exp: No vesicle → no eye.


33. Microphthalmos results from:
A. Arrested development of optic vesicle ✅
B. Failure of eyelid separation
C. Persistent pupillary membrane
D. Trabecular dysgenesis
Exp: Small malformed eye.


34. Persistent pupillary membrane is:
A. Remnant of anterior vascular sheath ✅
B. Coloboma remnant
C. Iris stroma defect
D. Corneal opacity
Exp: Vascular membrane may persist as fine strands.


35. Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) due to:
A. Persistence of hyaloid system ✅
B. Closure defect
C. Coloboma
D. Aniridia
Exp: Failure of hyaloid regression.

36. Master gene for eye development:
A. PAX6 ✅
B. FOXC1
C. SOX2
D. OTX2
Exp: PAX6 → “master control gene” for eye.


37. Mutation of PAX6 commonly causes:
A. Aniridia ✅
B. Coloboma
C. PHPV
D. Microcornea
Exp: PAX6 mutation → aniridia.


38. SOX2 mutations cause:
A. Bilateral anophthalmia ✅
B. Aniridia
C. PHPV
D. Foveal hypoplasia
Exp: SOX2 essential for optic vesicle development.


39. FOXC1 mutations linked to:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly ✅
B. Anophthalmia
C. Coloboma
D. Microphthalmia
Exp: FOXC1 → anterior chamber dysgenesis.


40. PITX2 mutations cause:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome ✅
B. Aniridia
C. Retinoblastoma
D. PHPV
Exp: PITX2 associated with anterior segment anomalies.

41. Bowman’s membrane is derived from:
A. Corneal stroma (mesenchymal) ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Lens capsule
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Specialized condensation of mesenchymal stroma.

42. Descemet’s membrane secreted by:
A. Corneal endothelium ✅
B. Corneal epithelium
C. Lens epithelium
D. Trabecular cells
Exp: Endothelium continuously secretes Descemet’s.

43. Trabecular meshwork develops from:
A. Neural crest ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Mesoderm
Exp: Derived from neural crest mesenchyme.

44. Canal of Schlemm develops from:
A. Mesenchyme ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Endothelial-lined venous sinus from mesenchyme.

45. Congenital glaucoma (buphthalmos) is due to:
A. Trabecular dysgenesis ✅
B. Persistent pupillary membrane
C. Non-closure of fissure
D. Failure of eyelid opening
Exp: Maldeveloped trabecular meshwork → ↑ IOP.

46. Optic nerve develops from:
A. Optic stalk (neuroectoderm) ✅
B. Mesoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Optic stalk forms optic nerve fibres.

47. Myelination of optic nerve begins at:
A. Lateral geniculate body ✅
B. Retina
C. Chiasma
D. Cornea
Exp: Myelination starts from LGN and progresses forward.

48. Myelination of optic nerve ends at:
A. Lamina cribrosa ✅
B. Retina
C. Fovea
D. Optic disc always
Exp: Normally stops at lamina cribrosa.

49. If myelination extends beyond lamina cribrosa:
A. Myelinated nerve fibre layer seen ✅
B. Coloboma
C. Optic disc pit
D. Glaucoma
Exp: Visible as white patches in retina.

50. Fovea is immature at birth because:
A. Cones not fully developed ✅
B. Absent rods
C. Absent pigment
D. Lack of vasculature
Exp: Cone elongation & packing continue after birth.

51. Primary vitreous origin:
A. Mesenchyme ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Contains hyaloid vascular system.

52. Secondary vitreous produced by:
A. Neuroectoderm of retina ✅
B. Mesoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Surface ectoderm
Exp: Gel secreted by neuroectoderm.

53. Tertiary vitreous forms:
A. Zonules of Zinn (suspensory ligaments) ✅
B. Lens capsule
C. Retina
D. Vitreous base
Exp: Tertiary vitreous → zonules.

54. Lens capsule is secreted by:
A. Lens epithelium ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Corneal epithelium
D. Ciliary body
Exp: Lens epithelium produces capsule.

55. Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) occurs due to:
A. Persistence of hyaloid artery ✅
B. Arrested fissure closure
C. PAX6 mutation
D. Failure of eyelid separation
Exp: Hyaloid fails to regress → PHPV.

56. Glands of Moll are:
A. Modified sweat glands ✅
B. Sebaceous glands
C. Lacrimal glands
D. Serous glands
Exp: Apocrine sweat glands at lid margin.

57. Glands of Zeis are:
A. Sebaceous glands ✅
B. Sweat glands
C. Lacrimal glands
D. Serous glands
Exp: Sebaceous glands associated with lashes.

58. Lacrimal gland origin:
A. Surface ectoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Develops from ectodermal buds.

59. Lacrimal gland functional maturity by:
A. 3rd month postnatal ✅
B. At birth
C. 6 months postnatal
D. 1 year
Exp: Tears start ~3 months after birth.

60. Eyelid levator muscle origin:
A. Pre-otic mesoderm ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: EOMs including LPS from mesoderm.

61. Aniridia caused by mutation of:
A. PAX6 ✅
B. FOXC1
C. SOX2
D. OTX2
Exp: Classic genetic cause of aniridia.

62. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly associated with mutation in:
A. FOXC1 & PITX2 ✅
B. PAX6
C. SOX2
D. MITF
Exp: Genes for anterior chamber dysgenesis.

63. Albinism occurs due to mutation in:
A. MITF or tyrosinase pathway ✅
B. SOX2
C. FOXC1
D. PITX2
Exp: Ocular albinism → defective melanin synthesis.

64. Foveal hypoplasia is seen in:
A. Albinism ✅
B. Coloboma
C. PHPV
D. Microphthalmia
Exp: Lack of foveal pit in albinism.

65. Peter’s anomaly features:
A. Central corneal opacity + anterior chamber dysgenesis ✅
B. Foveal hypoplasia
C. Aniridia
D. Coloboma
Exp: Rare congenital corneal anomaly.

66. Retina begins differentiation at:
A. 4th week ✅
B. 6th week
C. 8th week
D. Birth
Exp: Retina forms early from optic cup.

67. Photoreceptors mature after:
A. Birth ✅
B. 6th month gestation
C. 12th week
D. 20 weeks
Exp: Cone maturation continues postnatally.

68. Pupillary membrane disappears by:
A. 8th month gestation ✅
B. Birth
C. 4th month gestation
D. 1 year postnatal
Exp: Normally regresses before birth.

69. Eyeball attains adult size by:
A. 7–8 years ✅
B. Birth
C. 4 years
D. Adolescence
Exp: Most growth complete by ~7 years.

70. Corneal diameter at birth:
A. ~10 mm ✅
B. 8 mm
C. 12 mm
D. 14 mm
Exp: Cornea 10 mm at birth, adult ~11–12 mm.

71. Danger of face infections spreading to orbit due to:
A. Valveless ophthalmic veins ✅
B. Nasolacrimal duct
C. Myelinated nerve fibres
D. Corneal stroma
Exp: Facial vein → ophthalmic veins → cavernous sinus.

72. Fetal fissure closure failure causes:
A. Coloboma ✅
B. Aniridia
C. PHPV
D. Albinism
Exp: Classic embryological defect.

73. Eye color depends on:
A. Amount of stromal melanin ✅
B. Corneal clarity
C. Lens transparency
D. Iris thickness
Exp: More melanin → darker eyes.

74. Retinoblastoma arises from:
A. Mutations in RB1 gene ✅
B. FOXC1
C. SOX2
D. PAX6
Exp: RB1 mutation on chromosome 13.

75. Typical age of presentation of retinoblastoma:
A. <5 years ✅
B. 10–12 years
C. Birth only
D. Adulthood
Exp: Most cases in first 5 years.

76. Holoprosencephaly may lead to:
A. Cyclopia ✅
B. Aniridia
C. Microcornea
D. Coloboma
Exp: Midline defect → fused eye.

77. Eyelid coloboma due to:
A. Defective fusion of eyelid folds ✅
B. Persistence of pupillary membrane
C. Hyaloid artery persistence
D. FOXC1 mutation
Exp: Developmental gap in eyelid fold closure.

78. Congenital aphakia is:
A. Absence of lens ✅
B. Absence of iris
C. Absence of vitreous
D. Absence of cornea
Exp: Due to absent lens vesicle formation.

79. Blue sclera seen in:
A. Osteogenesis imperfecta ✅
B. Aniridia
C. Coloboma
D. Retinitis pigmentosa
Exp: Thin sclera shows underlying choroid.

80. Congenital corneal opacity may result from:
A. Peter’s anomaly, sclerocornea, congenital glaucoma ✅
B. Persistent pupillary membrane only
C. Retinoblastoma
D. Microphthalmia only
Exp: Multiple developmental anomalies can cause opacity.