YEAR 04 • MAJOR CLINICAL DISCIPLINES

Ophthalmology

20 learning units • 100 chapter sections • 200 explained questions. Assess visual symptoms, recognise sight-threatening disease and plan safe treatment, referral and follow-up.

Original RAHBAR study material for the Year 4 learning pathway. Clinical cases support supervised undergraduate learning. Treatment choices, doses and procedures must follow current local protocols and the responsible clinical team. References & further reading ↓

MODULE 09 / 20

Acute Angle Closure & Painful Visual Loss

Recognise acute pressure-related emergencies and avoid delays caused by non-ocular symptoms.

Choose an answer and check it immediately. Change your choice to try again. This is a self-study exercise; results are not saved.

Question 01. Severe eye pain, haloes and vomiting should raise concern for what? A. Simple presbyopiaB. Stable amblyopiaC. Uncomplicated dry eye aloneD. Acute angle closure

Question 02. Which corneal finding may accompany acute angle closure? A. Clouding from oedemaB. A permanently enlarged corneal diameter in every adultC. A normal cornea in all casesD. An isolated eyelash crust only

Question 03. What is the appropriate urgency for suspected acute angle closure? A. Routine annual reviewB. Emergency ophthalmic assessmentC. Review only if both eyes hurtD. A trial of reading glasses first

Question 04. Do antiemetics alone treat acute angle closure? A. Yes, if vomiting stopsB. No, the pressure and mechanism require treatmentC. Yes, in all first attacksD. Only when the eye is red

Question 05. What should be avoided before specialist assessment of suspected acute angle closure? A. Recording acuity when feasibleB. Asking about medicinesC. Urgent referralD. Routine pharmacological dilation

Question 06. Why ask about recent medicines in acute bilateral painful blur? A. Medicines never affect the eyeB. Some drugs can trigger secondary angle-closure mechanismsC. The history replaces pressure assessmentD. It proves primary pupillary block

Question 07. Laser iridotomy is particularly relevant to which mechanism? A. Suitable pupillary-block angle closureB. Every corneal infectionC. All retinal detachmentsD. Every cause of optic neuritis

Question 08. What follow-up consideration applies to the other eye after primary angle closure? A. No examination if comfortableB. Specialist assessment of its riskC. Automatic reassurance foreverD. Cataract surgery without assessment in every case

Question 09. Does temporary symptom improvement eliminate angle-closure risk? A. Yes, permanentlyB. No, the underlying anatomy may remain hazardousC. Only if nausea resolvesD. Only if pain relief was effective

Question 10. When safe pressure measurement is unavailable in a concerning painful eye, what should happen? A. Assume pressure is normalB. Escalate based on the clinical findingsC. Delay until an annual visitD. Diagnose allergy by exclusion

0 / 10 answeredReady for assessment →

References & Further Reading

Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.

College of Optometrists — Angle closure

Reference review: 28 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.