This blog contains the first 20 questions from the DSSSB Optometrist 2019 Previous Year Paper with correct answers and detailed explanations. Topics covered: Ocular Anatomy, Visual Optics, Tear Film, Vitamin A Deficiency and Ocular Pharmacology.
How to use: Read each question carefully → click the option you think is correct → the answer and full explanation appear immediately. Your live score is tracked at the top and in the draggable card on the right.
📑 Questions in This Part (Q1–Q20)
Answer your first question to begin →
AMaxilla
BFrontal
CZygomatic
DParietal
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✓ Correct Answer: D. Parietal
The bony orbit is composed of seven bones: Maxilla, Frontal, Zygomatic, Ethmoid, Lacrimal, Sphenoid, and Palatine. The Parietal bone forms the upper-lateral vault of the cranium and does not extend into the orbital cavity.
A30 ml
B50 ml
C70 ml
D60 ml
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✓ Correct Answer: A. 30 ml
The average volume of the adult bony orbit is approximately 30 ml. This compact space houses the globe, extraocular muscles, orbital fat, and neurovascular structures. Options B (50 ml), C (70 ml) and D (60 ml) are all significantly too large — a classic exam trap.
AIII, IV, ophthalmic artery
BIII, IV, superior ophthalmic vein
CII, VI, superior ophthalmic vein
DIII, VI, ophthalmic artery & vein
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✓ Correct Answer: B
The superior orbital fissure transmits CN III, CN IV, CN VI, the ophthalmic division of V1, and the superior ophthalmic vein. The ophthalmic artery does NOT pass here — it travels with CN II through the optic canal.
AMiddle meatus
BInferior meatus
CLacrimal sac
DAbove the middle meatus
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✓ Correct Answer: B. Inferior meatus
The nasolacrimal duct drains tears from the lacrimal sac and terminates in the nasal cavity beneath the inferior nasal concha, in the region called the inferior meatus. The middle meatus drains the paranasal sinuses — this is a very common source of confusion in exams.
AAbout 11 and 12 mm
BAbout 12 and 11 mm
CAbout 12 and 13 mm
DAbout 11 and 13 mm
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✓ Correct Answer: A. 11 and 12 mm
The adult cornea is slightly elliptical. The vertical diameter ≈ 11 mm and the horizontal diameter ≈ 12 mm. The cornea is wider horizontally. Option B reverses these values — the most common trap in this question and asked in multiple government exams.
A7.8 and 6.5 mm
B6.5 and 7.8 mm
C7 and 7.8 mm
D6.8 and 6.5 mm
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✓ Correct Answer: A. 7.8 and 6.5 mm
The anterior corneal surface radius = 7.8 mm and the posterior corneal surface radius = 6.5 mm. The posterior surface is steeper (smaller radius = more curved). Option B reverses these values — a frequent trap. These exact numbers are important for contact lens fitting and keratometry.
AAnterior surface of lens
BPosterior surface of cornea
CAnterior surface of cornea
DPosterior surface of lens
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✓ Correct Answer: C. Anterior surface of cornea
The anterior surface of the cornea provides approximately two-thirds (~43D) of the eye’s total refractive power. Maximum refraction occurs here because the difference in refractive index between air (1.0) and the corneal tear film (1.376) is the largest interface in the entire optical system.
ARetinoic acid
B11-cis retinal
CRetinyl ester
DRetinol
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✓ Correct Answer: C. Retinyl ester
After dietary absorption, Vitamin A is transported to the liver and stored in hepatic stellate cells predominantly as retinyl esters. This is the stable storage form. When needed, retinyl esters are hydrolysed to retinol (the transport form) and released into the bloodstream.
AZeis gland
BMeibomian glands
CConjunctival goblet cells
DGlands of Moll
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✓ Correct Answer: C. Conjunctival goblet cells
The tear film has 3 layers. The mucin (innermost) layer is secreted by conjunctival goblet cells. It anchors the aqueous layer to the hydrophobic corneal epithelium. Meibomian glands → lipid layer. Lacrimal gland → aqueous layer. Zeis and Moll glands are accessory eyelid glands.
AOn the retina
BAnterior to the retina
CPosterior to the retina
DAt infinity
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✓ Correct Answer: B. Anterior to the retina
In a myopic eye, the refractive power is too strong (or axial length too long). Parallel light rays converge in front of the retina — in the vitreous cavity. In hyperopia, the focal point is behind the retina. In emmetropia, it falls exactly on the retina.
AIncreases effective power of a minus lens
BIncreases effective power of a plus lens
CA minus lens of higher power will be required
DA plus lens of lower power will be required
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✓ Correct Answer: A
When a minus (concave) lens is moved closer to the eye, its focal point moves further back toward the retina, effectively increasing its negative refractive power. Remember: Moving a minus lens closer → increases minus power. Moving a plus lens closer → decreases plus power. This is the vertex distance principle used in dispensing optics.
AAdd surfactants
BClose eyelids after instillation
CDecrease the frequency of instillation
DPunctal compression
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✓ Correct Answer: C. Decrease the frequency of instillation
Decreasing frequency of instillation reduces the total drug delivered, thus reducing absorption — so this is NOT a method to increase absorption. Methods that INCREASE absorption: Punctal compression (blocks drainage), eyelid closure (prolongs contact time), surfactants (enhance corneal penetration), and increasing concentration or frequency.
ABandage contact lens
BSpectacles
CIOL
DPrisms
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✓ Correct Answer: A. Bandage contact lens
Bandage contact lenses can absorb topical ophthalmic medications and release them slowly onto the corneal surface, functioning as a sustained drug delivery system. Spectacles, IOLs, and prisms serve optical or structural purposes only — they do not deliver pharmacological agents to the eye.
AFoscarnet
BFluconazole
CErythromycin
DPenicillin
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✓ Correct Answer: B. Fluconazole
Ocular trauma with vegetative matter (plant/soil) is the classic risk factor for fungal keratitis. Among the options: Fluconazole is the only azole antifungal. Foscarnet is antiviral. Erythromycin and Penicillin are antibacterial. Other antifungals for fungal keratitis include Natamycin (drug of choice) and Voriconazole.
AInhibits ergosterol synthesis
BInhibits 50S ribosome
CInhibits replication of virus
DHas anticollagenolytic property
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✓ Correct Answer: C. Inhibits replication of virus
Idoxuridine is an antiviral nucleoside analogue used topically for Herpes Simplex keratitis. It incorporates into viral DNA during replication, creating defective DNA strands → halts viral multiplication. Option A (ergosterol) = antifungal mechanism. Option B (50S ribosome) = antibacterial mechanism.
AHerpes simplex virus keratitis
BToxoplasmosis
CBlepharitis
DConjunctivitis
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✓ Correct Answer: A. Herpes simplex virus keratitis
Acyclovir is a selective antiviral that inhibits viral DNA polymerase. It is the gold-standard first-line treatment for HSV keratitis (epithelial/dendritic ulcer). Toxoplasmosis → Pyrimethamine + Sulfadiazine. Blepharitis → hygiene + antibiotics. Conjunctivitis → broad antibiotics or antivirals depending on cause.
ANon-selective beta blocker
BSelective beta blocker
CParasympathomimetic drug
DSelective alpha agonist
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✓ Correct Answer: A. Non-selective beta blocker
Timolol is a non-selective β-adrenergic antagonist — it blocks both β1 and β2 receptors in the ciliary body to reduce aqueous humor production and lower IOP. Used in glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Betaxolol is a selective β1 blocker. Pilocarpine is parasympathomimetic. Brimonidine is a selective α2 agonist.
A7–10 days
B15–21 days
C15 days
D3 days
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✓ Correct Answer: A. 7–10 days
Atropine 1% is a powerful long-acting muscarinic antagonist. Its mydriatic effect (pupil dilation) lasts 7–10 days in a normal healthy eye. It is the longest-acting cycloplegic agent used in optometry. Compare: Cyclopentolate → 24 hrs, Homatropine → 1–3 days, Tropicamide → 4–6 hours.
AThey should be optically clear
BThey should protect endothelium
CThey should be nontoxic
DThey should NOT have cohesiveness
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✓ Correct Answer: D. They should NOT have cohesiveness
Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices (OVDs) used in cataract surgery MUST be: optically clear, non-toxic, protect corneal endothelium, and have cohesiveness. Cohesive OVDs (e.g., Healon) maintain space and are easy to remove. Saying they should NOT have cohesiveness is FALSE. Cohesiveness is an essential and desirable property.
AConjunctival xerosis
BNight blindness
CCorneal keratomalacia <1/3 of corneal surface
DBitot’s spot
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✓ Correct Answer: D. Bitot’s spot
WHO Classification of Vitamin A Deficiency: XN = Night blindness · X1A = Conjunctival xerosis · X1B = Bitot’s spots · X2 = Corneal xerosis · X3A = Corneal ulceration/keratomalacia <1/3 cornea · X3B = Corneal ulceration/keratomalacia ≥1/3 cornea · XS = Corneal scar · XF = Xerophthalmic fundus. Bitot’s spots are foamy, silvery-grey patches of keratinized epithelium on the conjunctiva.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions were in the DSSSB Optometrist 2019 paper? ▼
The DSSSB Optometrist 2019 paper had 97 questions in total. This blog covers Part 1 (Q1–Q20). The complete paper is published in 5 interactive parts on Smart Optometry Academy covering all subjects.
What subjects are covered in DSSSB 2019 Part 1 (Q1–Q20)? ▼
Part 1 covers: Ocular Anatomy (bony orbit, corneal dimensions, nasolacrimal duct), Visual Optics (corneal radii, refraction, myopia), Ocular Physiology (tear film, Vitamin A storage), and Ocular Pharmacology (antifungals, antivirals, Timolol, Atropine, OVDs, Vitamin A deficiency classification).
Is the 2019 paper useful for DSSSB Optometrist 2026 preparation? ▼
Absolutely yes. DSSSB repeats similar topics every exam cycle. Topics from 2019 like bony orbit, corneal dimensions, antifungal drugs, Vitamin A deficiency classification and tear film all appeared again in 2024. Solving 2019 PYQs is the single most effective preparation strategy for DSSSB 2026 (Post Code 09/26).
Where can I find the complete DSSSB Optometrist 2019 solved paper? ▼
Smart Optometry Academy has published the complete DSSSB Optometrist 2019 solved paper in 5 interactive parts on smartoptometryacademy.com. Each question has clickable options with correct answers and detailed explanations. All 5 parts are free to access.