Question:

The photostress test is used to differentiate between which of the following?

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It tests how fast the photoreceptors bounce back after a bright light, so it isolates the layer that holds them.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Lens and cornea
  • Macular and optic nerve diseases
  • Cataract and glaucoma
  • Retinal and vitreous diseases
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Answer: Macular and optic nerve diseases.
Step 1: The photostress test measures how long the macula takes to recover function after being bleached by a bright light.
Step 2: A penlight is shone into the eye for about 10 seconds, then the time taken to read letters one line above best-corrected acuity is recorded as the recovery time.
Step 3: In macular (photoreceptor) disease, regeneration of visual pigment is slow, so the recovery time is markedly prolonged.
Step 4: In optic nerve disease, the photoreceptors are intact, so recovery time stays normal even though vision is reduced. This contrast separates the two.
Ref: Photostress recovery time in macular versus optic nerve disease (PubMed 836667).
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