Practice 80 high-yield MCQs on Eye Development in Ophthalmology with answers and explanations. Ideal for NEET PG, NEXT, AIIMS, and MRCS Ed exam preparation. Master key concepts on optic vesicle, retina, lens, embryology, congenital anomalies, and more. Please visit our index page to find all Topic wise ophthalmology mcq. MCQs on Eye Development

1. Eye develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm only
B. Neuroectoderm, surface ectoderm, mesoderm, neural crest
C. Endoderm and mesoderm only
D. Mesenchyme only

View Answer

B. Neuroectoderm, surface ectoderm, mesoderm, neural crest ✅ Exp: All four tissues contribute to eye development.

2. Eye development begins in:
A. 1st week
B. 3rd week of gestation
C. 6th week
D. 10th week

View Answer

B. 3rd week of gestation ✅ Exp: Optic vesicle appears around week 3.

3. Optic vesicles arise from:
A. Telencephalon
B. Diencephalon
C. Mesencephalon
D. Metencephalon

View Answer

B. Diencephalon ✅ Exp: Eye is an outgrowth of forebrain (diencephalon).

4. Invagination of optic vesicle forms:
A. Optic cup
B. Lens vesicle
C. Retina only
D. Optic stalk

View Answer

A. Optic cup ✅ Exp: Optic cup is double-walled structure.

5. Optic stalk later develops into:
A. Lens
B. Optic nerve
C. Retina
D. Cornea

View Answer

B. Optic nerve ✅ Exp: Optic stalk becomes optic nerve.

6. Lens develops from:
A. Neural crest
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

B. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Lens placode → surface ectoderm derivative.

7. Lens placode forms in which week?
A. 2nd week
B. 4th week
C. 6th week
D. 8th week

View Answer

B. 4th week ✅ Exp: Lens placode forms ~4th week.

8. Lens vesicle separates from:
A. Optic vesicle
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Retina

View Answer

B. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Lens vesicle detaches from ectoderm.

9. Primary lens fibres elongate from:
A. Posterior cells of lens vesicle
B. Anterior cells
C. Lens capsule
D. Corneal epithelium

View Answer

A. Posterior cells of lens vesicle ✅ Exp: Posterior cells → primary fibres filling vesicle.

10. Secondary lens fibres derived from:
A. Posterior lens epithelium
B. Anterior lens epithelium at equator
C. Corneal epithelium
D. Iris epithelium

View Answer

B. Anterior lens epithelium at equator ✅ Exp: Equatorial cells elongate as secondary fibres.

Retina Development

11. Retina develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neuroectoderm of optic cup
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest

View Answer

B. Neuroectoderm of optic cup ✅ Exp: Both neural retina & RPE from optic cup.

12. Outer layer of optic cup forms:
A. Neural retina
B. Retinal pigment epithelium
C. Photoreceptor cells
D. Lens capsule

View Answer

B. Retinal pigment epithelium ✅ Exp: Outer thin layer → RPE.

13. Inner layer of optic cup forms:
A. Retinal pigment epithelium
B. Neural retina
C. Lens epithelium
D. Ciliary epithelium only

View Answer

B. Neural retina ✅ Exp: Inner layer thickens into neural retina.

14. Fovea centralis development completes by:
A. Birth
B. 4 years of age
C. 1 year
D. 6 months

View Answer

B. 4 years of age ✅ Exp: Fovea matures ~4 years postnatal.

15. Coloboma results from:
A. Persistence of lens stalk
B. Failure of closure of embryonic fissure
C. Persistence of hyaloid artery
D. Failure of optic cup invagination

View Answer

B. Failure of closure of embryonic fissure ✅ Exp: Defect in closure of embryonic fissure.

Cornea & Sclera Development

16. Corneal epithelium derives from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest

View Answer

B. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Corneal epithelium = surface ectoderm.

17. Corneal stroma and endothelium arise from:
A. Neural crest cells
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Mesoderm

View Answer

A. Neural crest cells ✅ Exp: Corneal stroma & endothelium from neural crest.

18. Sclera develops from:
A. Mesenchyme (neural crest + mesoderm)
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm

View Answer

A. Mesenchyme (neural crest + mesoderm) ✅ Exp: Mesenchyme forms sclera.

19. Bowman’s membrane origin:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Modified corneal stroma (mesenchymal)
C. Lens capsule
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

B. Modified corneal stroma (mesenchymal) ✅ Exp: Derived from mesenchymal stroma.

20. Descemet’s membrane derived from:
A. Corneal endothelium
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Lens epithelium
D. RPE

View Answer

A. Corneal endothelium ✅ Exp: Endothelium secretes Descemet’s.

Aqueous Pathway Structures

21. Trabecular meshwork develops from:
A. Neural crest
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

A. Neural crest ✅ Exp: Neural crest forms trabecular tissue.

22. Canal of Schlemm derived from:
A. Mesoderm
B. Mesenchyme
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Surface ectoderm

View Answer

B. Mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Venous channel from mesenchyme.

23. Anterior chamber develops by:
A. Cavitation in mesenchyme
B. Invagination of optic vesicle
C. Fusion of lens and cornea
D. Migration of ectoderm

View Answer

A. Cavitation in mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Space forms in mesenchyme between cornea & lens.

24. Iris epithelium develops from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Mesoderm

View Answer

A. Neuroectoderm ✅ Exp: Both pigmented & non-pigmented epithelium from optic cup.

25. Iris stroma arises from:
A. Neural crest
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm

View Answer

A. Neural crest ✅ Exp: Neural crest gives iris stroma.

Vitreous & Hyaloid System

26. Primary vitreous is derived from:
A. Mesenchyme
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm

View Answer

A. Mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Hyaloid vascular system within mesenchyme.

27. Secondary vitreous is secreted by:
A. Neuroectoderm of retina
B. Neural crest
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Mesoderm

View Answer

A. Neuroectoderm of retina ✅ Exp: Secondary vitreous secreted by retina.

28. Tertiary vitreous forms:
A. Lens capsule
B. Zonules of Zinn (suspensory ligaments)
C. Hyaloid artery
D. Retina

View Answer

B. Zonules of Zinn (suspensory ligaments) ✅ Exp: Tertiary vitreous → zonules.

29. Hyaloid artery normally regresses by:
A. Birth
B. 1 year
C. 6 months
D. 2 years

View Answer

A. Birth ✅ Exp: Regresses before birth.

30. Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) results from:
A. Persistence of hyaloid artery
B. Non-closure of embryonic fissure
C. Failure of lens vesicle separation
D. Abnormal corneal development

View Answer

A. Persistence of hyaloid artery ✅ Exp: Failure of hyaloid system regression.

Other Developmental Features

31. Eyelid develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm folds + mesenchyme core
B. Neural crest only
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm

View Answer

A. Surface ectoderm folds + mesenchyme core ✅ Exp: Ectodermal folds with mesenchymal core.

32. Eyelid fusion occurs at:
A. 2nd month
B. 4th month
C. Birth
D. 6th week

View Answer

A. 2nd month ✅ Exp: Lids fuse at 2 months, reopen at 6th month.

33. Eyelid reopening occurs in:
A. 4th month
B. 6th month of gestation
C. At birth
D. 1st month

View Answer

B. 6th month of gestation ✅ Exp: Lids reopen ~6th month.

34. Lacrimal gland develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Mesoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Neural crest

View Answer

A. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Lacrimal gland is ectodermal.

35. Extraocular muscles develop from:
A. Pre-otic mesoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

A. Pre-otic mesoderm ✅ Exp: Derived from mesoderm around optic cup.

Timelines & Clinical

36. Optic fissure normally closes by:
A. 5th week
B. 3rd week
C. 7th week
D. 9th week

View Answer

A. 5th week ✅ Exp: Closure ~5–6th week.

37. Failure of optic fissure closure →
A. Coloboma
B. PHPV
C. Aniridia
D. Anophthalmos

View Answer

A. Coloboma ✅ Exp: Inferior coloboma common defect.

38. Aniridia results from mutation of:
A. PAX6 gene
B. PITX2
C. SOX10
D. OTX2

View Answer

A. PAX6 gene ✅ Exp: PAX6 important in iris & ocular development.

39. Microphthalmos may result from:
A. Arrest of optic vesicle growth
B. Failure of fissure closure
C. Failure of corneal development
D. Persistent hyaloid artery

View Answer

A. Arrest of optic vesicle growth ✅ Exp: Small eye due to arrested growth.

40. Anophthalmos results from:
A. Complete failure of optic vesicle formation
B. Coloboma
C. PHPV
D. Aniridia

View Answer

A. Complete failure of optic vesicle formation ✅ Exp: Absence of eye when vesicle fails to form.

Eyelids, Conjunctiva & Lacrimal System

41. Conjunctival epithelium develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest

View Answer

A. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Conjunctival epithelium is ectodermal.

42. Meibomian glands develop from:
A. Modified sebaceous glands of ectoderm
B. Neural crest cells
C. Mesodermal core
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

A. Modified sebaceous glands of ectoderm ✅ Exp: Ectodermal in origin.

43. Glands of Zeis are:
A. Sebaceous glands
B. Sweat glands
C. Modified lacrimal glands
D. Apocrine glands

View Answer

A. Sebaceous glands ✅ Exp: Zeis = sebaceous glands associated with eyelashes.

44. Glands of Moll are:
A. Modified sweat glands
B. Sebaceous glands
C. Lacrimal glands
D. Serous glands

View Answer

A. Modified sweat glands ✅ Exp: Moll = apocrine sweat glands at eyelid margin.

45. Nasolacrimal duct develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm invagination
B. Neural crest
C. Mesodermal core
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

A. Surface ectoderm invagination ✅ Exp: Formed from ectodermal cord between maxillary & lateral nasal processes.

Iris, Ciliary Body & Pupil

46. Iris muscles (sphincter & dilator pupillae) develop from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Surface ectoderm

View Answer

A. Neuroectoderm ✅ Exp: They are neuroectodermal (rare exception for smooth muscle).

47. Iris stroma develops from:
A. Neural crest cells
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm only
D. Surface ectoderm

View Answer

A. Neural crest cells ✅ Exp: Stroma & melanocytes from neural crest.

48. Pupillary membrane develops from:
A. Mesodermal mesenchyme
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Retina

View Answer

A. Mesodermal mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Transient vascular membrane in front of lens.

49. Persistence of pupillary membrane →
A. Small remnants visible as strands
B. Total blindness
C. Aniridia
D. Microcornea

View Answer

A. Small remnants visible as strands ✅ Exp: Commonly leaves fine iris strands.

50. Ciliary body epithelium origin:
A. Neuroectoderm (from optic cup)
B. Neural crest
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Mesoderm

View Answer

A. Neuroectoderm (from optic cup) ✅ Exp: Both pigmented and non-pigmented epithelia are neuroectodermal.

Orbit & Supporting Structures

51. Bony orbit derived from:
A. Neural crest + mesoderm
B. Neuroectoderm only
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm

View Answer

A. Neural crest + mesoderm ✅ Exp: Orbit bones from mesenchyme (crest + mesoderm).

52. Extraocular muscles develop from:
A. Preotic mesoderm
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

A. Preotic mesoderm ✅ Exp: Classic derivation of EOMs.

53. Tenon’s capsule develops from:
A. Mesenchyme
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm

View Answer

A. Mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Fibrous sheath around globe from mesenchymal tissue.

54. Orbital fat derived from:
A. Mesenchyme
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Neural crest

View Answer

A. Mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Fat pads mesenchymal in origin.

55. Lacrimal sac develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm cord
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm

View Answer

A. Surface ectoderm cord ✅ Exp: Part of nasolacrimal system, ectodermal.

56. Lens placode appears in:
A. 4th week
B. 6th week
C. 8th week
D. 10th week

View Answer

A. 4th week ✅ Exp: Ectodermal thickening appears in week 4.

57. Closure of embryonic fissure:
A. 5th–6th week
B. 3rd week
C. 8th week
D. Birth

View Answer

A. 5th–6th week ✅ Exp: Closure occurs during weeks 5–6.

58. Hyaloid artery regresses by:
A. Birth
B. 6 months postnatal
C. 1 year
D. 3 months

View Answer

A. Birth ✅ Exp: Normally gone before birth.

59. Eyelid fusion occurs at:
A. 2nd month
B. 4th month
C. 6th month
D. Birth

View Answer

A. 2nd month ✅ Exp: Eyelids fuse in 2nd month.

60. Eyelid reopening:
A. 5th month
B. 6th month
C. Birth
D. 3rd month

View Answer

B. 6th month ✅ Exp: Eyelids reopen ~6th month gestation.

Congenital Anomalies

61. Congenital anophthalmia is due to:
A. Failure of optic vesicle formation
B. Non-closure of optic fissure
C. Failure of lens induction
D. Neural crest defect

View Answer

A. Failure of optic vesicle formation ✅ Exp: No optic vesicle = no eye.

62. Microphthalmia is due to:
A. Arrested growth of optic vesicle
B. Persistent pupillary membrane
C. Lens coloboma
D. Eyelid fusion failure

View Answer

A. Arrested growth of optic vesicle ✅ Exp: Small malformed eye.

63. Coloboma results from:
A. Failure of closure of embryonic fissure
B. Failure of lens vesicle separation
C. Persistence of pupillary membrane
D. Arrested foveal development

View Answer

A. Failure of closure of embryonic fissure ✅ Exp: Typical coloboma occurs inferiorly.

64. Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) is due to:
A. Persistence of hyaloid system
B. Closure defect
C. Optic nerve agenesis
D. Retinal dysplasia

View Answer

A. Persistence of hyaloid system ✅ Exp: Hyaloid fails to regress.

65. Cyclopia results from:
A. Failure of division of forebrain (holoprosencephaly)
B. Non-closure of fissure
C. Persistent pupillary membrane
D. Coloboma

View Answer

A. Failure of division of forebrain (holoprosencephaly) ✅ Exp: Midline defect causes single eye.

Genetics & Molecular Control

66. PAX6 gene is master gene for:
A. Eye development
B. Lens only
C. Retina only
D. Cornea only

View Answer

A. Eye development ✅ Exp: PAX6 regulates overall eye morphogenesis.

67. SOX2 mutation may cause:
A. Anophthalmia
B. Aniridia
C. Coloboma
D. PHPV

View Answer

A. Anophthalmia ✅ Exp: SOX2 critical for optic vesicle development.

68. MITF gene mutation leads to:
A. Albinism (ocular albinism)
B. Coloboma
C. Anophthalmia
D. Glaucoma

View Answer

A. Albinism (ocular albinism) ✅ Exp: MITF affects pigment development.

69. FOXC1 mutation associated with:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly
B. Aniridia
C. Retinoblastoma
D. Microcornea

View Answer

A. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly ✅ Exp: FOXC1 → anterior segment dysgen

70. PITX2 gene defect leads to:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome
B. PHPV
C. Coloboma
D. Foveal hypoplasia

View Answer

A. Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome ✅ Exp: PITX2 mutations → anterior chamber anomalies.

Postnatal Development

71. Retina continues to develop until:
A. Birth
B. Several years postnatally
C. 1st year only
D. 6 months

View Answer

B. Several years postnatally ✅ Exp: Especially macular area matures up to 4 years.

72. Myelination of optic nerve completed by:
A. Birth
B. 1 year
C. 3 years
D. 6 months

View Answer

B. 1 year ✅ Exp: Optic nerve myelination completes in infancy.

73. Foveal pit fully matures at:
A. Birth
B. 4 years
C. 6 months
D. 2 years

View Answer

B. 4 years ✅ Exp: Maturation ~4 years.

74. Pupillary light reflex appears by:
A. 30 weeks gestation
B. 12 weeks
C. Birth only
D. 6 months

View Answer

A. 30 weeks gestation ✅ Exp: Reflex detectable in utero by 30 weeks.

75. Tears secretion begins at:
A. Birth
B. 3rd month postnatal
C. 6th month
D. 1 year

View Answer

B. 3rd month postnatal ✅ Exp: Functional lacrimal gland ~3 months after birth.

76. Persistent pupillary membrane is usually:
A. Benign, asymptomatic
B. Causes blindness
C. Leads to glaucoma always
D. Indicates coloboma

View Answer

A. Benign, asymptomatic ✅ Exp: Fine strands often harmless.

77. Congenital aphakia results from:
A. Failure of lens vesicle formation
B. Arrest of optic cup
C. Persistence of pupillary membrane
D. Neural crest defect

View Answer

A. Failure of lens vesicle formation ✅ Exp: Rare anomaly due to absent lens vesicle.

78. Congenital cataract results from:
A. Disturbance in lens fibre development
B. Retinal dysplasia
C. Coloboma
D. Neural crest arrest

View answer

A. Disturbance in lens fibre development ✅ Exp: Defects in lens fibres → cataract.

79. Congenital glaucoma (buphthalmos) due to:
A. Trabecular dysgenesis
B. Failure of optic fissure closure
C. Persistent pupillary membrane
D. Microcornea

View Answer

A. Trabecular dysgenesis ✅ Exp: Maldevelopment of trabecular meshwork.

80. Peter’s anomaly is due to:
A. Central corneal opacity + anterior segment dysgenesis
B. Foveal hypoplasia
C. Coloboma
D. Persistent hyaloid system

View Answer

A. Central corneal opacity + anterior segment dysgenesis ✅ Exp: Rare congenital anomaly involving cornea & anterior chamber.