OPHTHALMOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE 2026
▶ Hordeolum. Answer: Acute infection of gland within eyelid typically
caused by staphylococcus infection (tender and erythematous). Treat with
warm compresses and consider oral antibiotics - Common infection of the
eyelid and periorbital soft tissues - appropriate treatment of hordeolum will
prevent chalazion development.
▶ Chalazion. Answer: Chronic infection of the Meibomain gland (oil glands
in the eyelid). Not tender or erythematous. Treat with incision and curettage
or steroid injection.
▶ Periorbital Cellulitis. Answer: "Preseptal" cellulitis, infection of the eye lid
(anterior to the orbital septum) which typically results from local spread of
an adjacent sinusitis. Eyelid erythema and edema without proptosis or
restriction of extraocular muscles. Treat with oral antiobiotics - common
infection.
▶ Orbital Cellulitis. Answer: Infection involving the eyelid which involves
structures posterior to the orbital septum commonly associated paranasal
sinus infection or dental infection - acute eyelid erythema and edema and
may include proptosis of the eye, restriction of extraocular muscles
resulting in pain on eye movement, reduced vision, and possible pupil
involvement. - EMERGENT ADMITTANCE TO HOSPITAL - broad
spectrum antibiotics and Neuro consult.
▶ Conjunctiva. Answer: Thin, translucent mucous membrane that covers
the white part of the eye and the eyelids which contains superficial blood
vessels.
▶ Sclera. Answer: "White" part of the eye composed of thick, dense
connective tissue
, ▶ Acute Conjunctivitis. Answer: Characterized by conjunctival hyperemia.
3 types: Viral - "Pink Eye" with mild discharge. Allergic - Red eye with
minimal discharge but severe symptom of pruitis (itch). Bacterial - red eye
with moderate to copious discharge - RARE in adults.
▶ Chronic Conjunctivitis. Answer: Characterized by red eye with
associated discharge and inferior follicles that lasts for >4 weeks. (Must
rule out chlamydial inclusion conjunctivitis - conjunctival and corneal
cultures).
▶ Pinguecula. Answer: Yellow-white, flat or slightly raised conjunctival
lesion which does not invade the cornea, no treatment. Caused by sunlight
exposure and chronic irritation.
▶ Pterygium. Answer: Fibrovascular tissue arising from conjunctiva
crossing onto cornea. Monitor until interfering with vision - surgical removal.
Caused by sunlight exposure and chronic irritation.
▶ Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. Answer: Characterized by blood
underneath the conjunctiva which obstructs view of sclera. Often occur
spontaneously due to valsava (forceful attempted exhalation against a
closed airway) such as from coughing, sneezing, constipation, labor, etc. If
recurrent, consider lab work up for clotting disorder. No treatment.
▶ Episcleritis. Answer: Inflammation/engorgement of the episcleral blood
vessels - commonly presents in a section of the conjunctiva in one eye.
Mild to moderate tenderness. Most common etiology is idiopathic. Treat
with artificial tears or topical steroid.
▶ Scleritis. Answer: Inflammation/engorgement of conjunctival, episcleral,
and scleral blood vessels which may be sectoral or diffuse. Patient may
experience severe, boring eye pain that radiates to forehead and/or jaw.
Commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Treat with oral steroids.
▶ Conjunctival Icetrus. Answer: Yellowing of the conjunctiva due to
excessive bilirubin which causes the eyes to appear yellow. Common in
premature infants, rare in adults. Treat jaudice/underlying systemic
condition.
QUESTIONS AND COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE 2026
▶ Hordeolum. Answer: Acute infection of gland within eyelid typically
caused by staphylococcus infection (tender and erythematous). Treat with
warm compresses and consider oral antibiotics - Common infection of the
eyelid and periorbital soft tissues - appropriate treatment of hordeolum will
prevent chalazion development.
▶ Chalazion. Answer: Chronic infection of the Meibomain gland (oil glands
in the eyelid). Not tender or erythematous. Treat with incision and curettage
or steroid injection.
▶ Periorbital Cellulitis. Answer: "Preseptal" cellulitis, infection of the eye lid
(anterior to the orbital septum) which typically results from local spread of
an adjacent sinusitis. Eyelid erythema and edema without proptosis or
restriction of extraocular muscles. Treat with oral antiobiotics - common
infection.
▶ Orbital Cellulitis. Answer: Infection involving the eyelid which involves
structures posterior to the orbital septum commonly associated paranasal
sinus infection or dental infection - acute eyelid erythema and edema and
may include proptosis of the eye, restriction of extraocular muscles
resulting in pain on eye movement, reduced vision, and possible pupil
involvement. - EMERGENT ADMITTANCE TO HOSPITAL - broad
spectrum antibiotics and Neuro consult.
▶ Conjunctiva. Answer: Thin, translucent mucous membrane that covers
the white part of the eye and the eyelids which contains superficial blood
vessels.
▶ Sclera. Answer: "White" part of the eye composed of thick, dense
connective tissue
, ▶ Acute Conjunctivitis. Answer: Characterized by conjunctival hyperemia.
3 types: Viral - "Pink Eye" with mild discharge. Allergic - Red eye with
minimal discharge but severe symptom of pruitis (itch). Bacterial - red eye
with moderate to copious discharge - RARE in adults.
▶ Chronic Conjunctivitis. Answer: Characterized by red eye with
associated discharge and inferior follicles that lasts for >4 weeks. (Must
rule out chlamydial inclusion conjunctivitis - conjunctival and corneal
cultures).
▶ Pinguecula. Answer: Yellow-white, flat or slightly raised conjunctival
lesion which does not invade the cornea, no treatment. Caused by sunlight
exposure and chronic irritation.
▶ Pterygium. Answer: Fibrovascular tissue arising from conjunctiva
crossing onto cornea. Monitor until interfering with vision - surgical removal.
Caused by sunlight exposure and chronic irritation.
▶ Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. Answer: Characterized by blood
underneath the conjunctiva which obstructs view of sclera. Often occur
spontaneously due to valsava (forceful attempted exhalation against a
closed airway) such as from coughing, sneezing, constipation, labor, etc. If
recurrent, consider lab work up for clotting disorder. No treatment.
▶ Episcleritis. Answer: Inflammation/engorgement of the episcleral blood
vessels - commonly presents in a section of the conjunctiva in one eye.
Mild to moderate tenderness. Most common etiology is idiopathic. Treat
with artificial tears or topical steroid.
▶ Scleritis. Answer: Inflammation/engorgement of conjunctival, episcleral,
and scleral blood vessels which may be sectoral or diffuse. Patient may
experience severe, boring eye pain that radiates to forehead and/or jaw.
Commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Treat with oral steroids.
▶ Conjunctival Icetrus. Answer: Yellowing of the conjunctiva due to
excessive bilirubin which causes the eyes to appear yellow. Common in
premature infants, rare in adults. Treat jaudice/underlying systemic
condition.
