Practice 80 high-yield MCQs on the Development of Eye from A.K. Khurana’s Comprehensive Ophthalmology. Includes answers with short explanations for NEET PG, NEXT, AIIMS, and MRCSEd exam preparation.

1. Eye develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm only
B. Neuroectoderm, surface ectoderm, mesoderm, neural crest ✅
C. Endoderm and mesoderm only
D. Mesenchyme only
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
Exp: Optic vesicle appears around week 3.

3. Optic vesicles arise from:
A. Telencephalon
B. Diencephalon ✅
C. Mesencephalon
D. Metencephalon
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
Exp: Optic cup is double-walled structure.

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

6. Lens develops from:
A. Neural crest
B. Surface ectoderm ✅
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
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
Exp: Lens placode forms ~4th week.

8. Lens vesicle separates from:
A. Optic vesicle
B. Surface ectoderm ✅
C. Mesoderm
D. Retina
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Exp: Corneal epithelium = surface ectoderm.

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

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

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

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

Aqueous Pathway Structures

21. Trabecular meshwork develops from:
A. Neural crest ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Neural crest forms trabecular tissue.

22. Canal of Schlemm derived from:
A. Mesoderm
B. Mesenchyme ✅
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Surface ectoderm
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
Exp: Space forms in mesenchyme between cornea & lens.

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

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

Vitreous & Hyaloid System

26. Primary vitreous is derived from:
A. Mesenchyme ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Hyaloid vascular system within mesenchyme.

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

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

29. Hyaloid artery normally regresses by:
A. Birth ✅
B. 1 year
C. 6 months
D. 2 years
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
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
Exp: Ectodermal folds with mesenchymal core.

32. Eyelid fusion occurs at:
A. 2nd month ✅
B. 4th month
C. Birth
D. 6th week
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
Exp: Lids reopen ~6th month.

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

35. Extraocular muscles develop from:
A. Pre-otic mesoderm ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
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
Exp: Closure ~5–6th week.

37. Failure of optic fissure closure →
A. Coloboma ✅
B. PHPV
C. Aniridia
D. Anophthalmos
Exp: Inferior coloboma common defect.

38. Aniridia results from mutation of:
A. PAX6 gene ✅
B. PITX2
C. SOX10
D. OTX2
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
Exp: Small eye due to arrested growth.

40. Anophthalmos results from:
A. Complete failure of optic vesicle formation ✅
B. Coloboma
C. PHPV
D. Aniridia
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
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
Exp: Ectodermal in origin.

43. Glands of Zeis are:
A. Sebaceous glands ✅
B. Sweat glands
C. Modified lacrimal glands
D. Apocrine 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
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
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
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
Exp: Stroma & melanocytes from neural crest.

48. Pupillary membrane develops from:
A. Mesodermal mesenchyme ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Retina
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
Exp: Commonly leaves fine iris strands.

50. Ciliary body epithelium origin:
A. Neuroectoderm (from optic cup) ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Mesoderm
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
Exp: Orbit bones from mesenchyme (crest + mesoderm).

52. Extraocular muscles develop from:
A. Preotic mesoderm ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Classic derivation of EOMs.

53. Tenon’s capsule develops from:
A. Mesenchyme ✅
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
Exp: Fibrous sheath around globe from mesenchymal tissue.

54. Orbital fat derived from:
A. Mesenchyme ✅
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Neural crest
Exp: Fat pads mesenchymal in origin.

55. Lacrimal sac develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm cord ✅
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
Exp: Part of nasolacrimal system, ectodermal.

Timeline of Key Events

56. Lens placode appears in:
A. 4th week ✅
B. 6th week
C. 8th week
D. 10th 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
Exp: Closure occurs during weeks 5–6.

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

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

60. Eyelid reopening:
A. 5th month
B. 6th month ✅
C. Birth
D. 3rd 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
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
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
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
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
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
Exp: PAX6 regulates overall eye morphogenesis.

67. SOX2 mutation may cause:
A. Anophthalmia ✅
B. Aniridia
C. Coloboma
D. PHPV
Exp: SOX2 critical for optic vesicle development.

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

69. FOXC1 mutation associated with:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly ✅
B. Aniridia
C. Retinoblastoma
D. Microcornea
Exp: FOXC1 → anterior segment dysgen

70. PITX2 gene defect leads to:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome ✅
B. PHPV
C. Coloboma
D. Foveal hypoplasia
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
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
Exp: Optic nerve myelination completes in infancy.

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

74. Pupillary light reflex appears by:
A. 30 weeks gestation ✅
B. 12 weeks
C. Birth only
D. 6 months
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
Exp: Functional lacrimal gland ~3 months after birth.

Miscellaneous & Clinical

76. Persistent pupillary membrane is usually:
A. Benign, asymptomatic ✅
B. Causes blindness
C. Leads to glaucoma always
D. Indicates coloboma
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
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
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
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
Exp: Rare congenital anomaly involving cornea & anterior chamber.