Glaucoma Practice Questions

Q: A 60-year-old male presents with a gradual loss of peripheral vision and is diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. Which of the following is the first line of treatment?

Prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost). ***Prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost)*** - **Prostaglandin analogs** are generally considered the **first-line treatment** for open-angle glaucoma due to their efficacy in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) and their favorable dosing schedule (typically once daily). - They work by increasing the **outflow of aqueous humor** through the uveoscleral pathway, thereby reducing IOP. *Laser trabeculoplasty* - This procedure is often considered a **second-line treatment** or an adjunct therapy when topical medications alone are insufficient. - It works by improving the outflow of aqueous humor through the **trabecular meshwork**, but it's typically not the initial approach. *Trabeculectomy* - **Trabeculectomy** is a surgical procedure usually reserved for cases of glaucoma that **do not respond to medication or laser treatment**, or when there is advanced disease. - It creates a new drainage pathway for the aqueous humor to bypass the blocked trabecular meshwork. *Oral acetazolamide* - **Oral acetazolamide** is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that can effectively lower IOP, but it is typically used for **short-term management** or in acute glaucoma crises. - Its use is limited as a first-line treatment due to significant **systemic side effects**, such as metabolic acidosis, kidney stones, and paresthesias.

Q: In a patient presenting with an acute unilateral red eye and visual impairment, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Acute angle-closure glaucoma. ***Acute angle-closure glaucoma*** - This condition presents with a **sudden onset of unilateral red eye**, **severe pain**, and **rapidly progressive visual impairment** due to increased intraocular pressure. - Other symptoms often include **halos around lights**, **nausea**, and **vomiting**. - Classic findings include a **mid-dilated fixed pupil**, **hazy cornea**, and **shallow anterior chamber**. *Conjunctivitis* - While it causes a **red eye**, the primary symptom is usually **itching or foreign body sensation**, not significant pain or severe visual loss. - Vision is typically **unaffected**, or only mildly blurred by discharge. *Corneal abrasion* - This condition would cause a **red eye**, **pain**, and **photophobia**, but the visual impairment is usually **less severe** and localized to the area of abrasion. - It is typically associated with a **history of trauma** or foreign body sensation. *Uveitis* - This can cause a **red eye**, pain, and **photophobia**, with varying degrees of visual impairment, but the onset is typically **subacute or chronic**, and the pain is often described as a **dull ache** rather than the severe pain of acute angle-closure glaucoma. - It often presents with **miosis** and **ciliary flush**.

Q: A 40-year-old male presents with a history of blunt trauma to the eye. Examination reveals a deep anterior chamber and iris transillumination defects. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Angle-recession glaucoma. ***Angle-recession glaucoma*** - Following blunt trauma, the combination of a **deep anterior chamber** and **iris transillumination defects** suggests significant anterior segment damage consistent with angle recession. - The blunt trauma causes a tear in the **ciliary body** (between longitudinal and circular muscle fibers) and damage to the **trabecular meshwork**, resulting in a **deep anterior chamber** due to posterior displacement of the iris root. - **Iris transillumination defects** in this context indicate concurrent **traumatic iris sphincter damage** or tears, which commonly occur alongside angle recession in severe blunt ocular trauma. - Angle recession can lead to **secondary glaucoma** in approximately 5-10% of cases, often developing months to years after the initial injury due to impaired aqueous outflow. *Hyphema* - A **hyphema** is a collection of blood in the anterior chamber following trauma, presenting as a visible layered blood level (not iris transillumination defects). - While blunt trauma is a common cause, hyphema is an **acute presentation** with obvious blood in the anterior chamber, whereas the findings described suggest chronic post-traumatic changes. *Retinal detachment* - **Retinal detachment** typically presents with **photopsias** (flashes), **floaters**, and a **visual field defect** (curtain or shadow). - This is a **posterior segment** finding and does not explain anterior chamber depth changes or iris transillumination defects, which are anterior segment signs. *Commotio retinae* - **Commotio retinae** (Berlin's edema) is retinal whitening due to **outer retinal disruption** after blunt trauma, typically in the posterior pole or periphery. - This affects the **posterior segment** only and does not involve anterior chamber depth changes or iris structural damage.

Q: Which technique is considered the gold standard for evaluating the angle of the anterior chamber in the eye?

Gonioscopy. ***Gonioscopy*** - **Gonioscopy** utilizes a specialized lens placed on the eye to directly visualize the **iridocorneal angle** and its structures. - This direct visualization allows for a comprehensive and dynamic assessment of the angle, making it the **gold standard** for evaluation. *Anterior segment OCT* - **Anterior segment OCT** (Optical Coherence Tomography) provides high-resolution cross-sectional images of the anterior chamber, including the angle. - While excellent for imaging and quantitative measurements, it is a **non-contact technique** and does not offer the dynamic, direct visualization of the angle that gonioscopy provides. *Slit-lamp biomicroscopy* - **Slit-lamp biomicroscopy** uses a narrow beam of light to examine the anterior segment but cannot directly visualize the **iridocorneal angle** due to the total internal reflection at the limbus. - It can indirectly estimate angle depth using the **Van Herick technique**, which provides a rough estimate but not direct angle visualization. *Ultrasound biomicroscopy* - **Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM)** uses high-frequency ultrasound to image the anterior segment, particularly useful for structures obscured by opaque media. - While it provides detailed images of angle structures and is good for imaging behind the iris, it is typically used when **optical methods are limited** and is not the primary method for routine angle evaluation.

Q: In a 45-year-old patient presenting with sudden onset of severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, and eye pain over the past 6 hours, which condition should be prioritized for evaluation?

Glaucoma. ***Glaucoma*** - The sudden onset of **severe headache**, **blurred vision**, **nausea**, and **eye pain** over 6 hours is highly suggestive of **acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG)**. - AACG is an **ophthalmic emergency** that can lead to rapid irreversible vision loss if not treated promptly. - The classic triad includes **severe eye pain**, **decreased vision**, and **systemic symptoms** (headache, nausea, vomiting). - Examination would typically reveal **mid-dilated non-reactive pupil**, **corneal edema**, **elevated intraocular pressure**, and **shallow anterior chamber**. *Migraine* - While migraines cause **headache**, **nausea**, and **photophobia**, they typically do not present with acute, severe eye pain or rapid vision loss as the primary symptom. - The acute onset with prominent eye pain and the specific constellation of symptoms point away from migraine. - Visual symptoms in migraine are usually bilateral and present as scintillating scotomas or visual aura. *Temporal arteritis* - This condition typically affects individuals **over 50 years** and presents with **temporal headache**, **jaw claudication**, **scalp tenderness**, and **systemic symptoms** (fever, weight loss, elevated ESR). - While it can cause **sudden vision loss** due to **anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION)**, it does not typically present with acute eye pain. - The patient's age (45 years) and acute eye pain make this less likely. *Brain tumor* - Brain tumors usually cause **progressive headaches** that are worse in the morning and may be accompanied by **focal neurological deficits**, **seizures**, or **papilledema**. - The **acute onset** (over 6 hours), **prominent eye pain**, and **absence of neurological deficits** make a brain tumor unlikely as the primary concern. - This would not explain the acute eye pain and rapid vision changes.

Q: A patient presents with blurred vision and sees 'halos' around lights. Examination reveals corneal edema and a mid-dilated pupil. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Acute angle-closure glaucoma. ***Acute angle-closure glaucoma*** - The sudden onset of **blurred vision**, **halos** around lights, **corneal edema**, and a **mid-dilated pupil** are classic signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma, indicating a rapid increase in intraocular pressure. - This condition is an **ophthalmic emergency** requiring immediate pressure reduction to prevent permanent vision loss. *Chronic open-angle glaucoma* - This condition is typically **asymptomatic** in its early stages and progresses slowly, causing gradual peripheral vision loss without acute pain or halos. - It usually presents with a **normal pupil** and *does not cause sudden corneal edema* or a mid-dilated pupil. *Central retinal vein occlusion* - This presents with sudden **painless vision loss**, and does not typically cause halos, corneal edema, or a mid-dilated pupil. - Funduscopic examination would reveal **retinal hemorrhages** and **dilated, tortuous veins**. *Keratitis* - **Keratitis** involves inflammation of the cornea, which can cause pain, blurred vision, and light sensitivity, but typically *does not cause halos* or a mid-dilated pupil. - It's often associated with a **foreign body sensation**, redness, and visible corneal lesions or ulcers.

Q: A 50-year-old man with progressive visual field loss is diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. Which surgical procedure is most commonly performed if medical management is unsuccessful?

Trabeculectomy. ***Trabeculectomy*** - **Trabeculectomy** is the most common traditional incisional surgical procedure for primary open-angle glaucoma when medical management fails, creating a new drainage pathway for aqueous humor. - It involves creating a **scleral flap** and an opening into the anterior chamber, forming a bleb under the conjunctiva to reduce intraocular pressure. *Laser trabeculoplasty* - This is a **non-incisional laser procedure** that improves aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork. - It is typically used **before or as an adjunct to medical therapy**, not after medical management has failed, and is considered part of the treatment ladder rather than a surgical rescue option. - While it can lower intraocular pressure, its effects may diminish over time and typically do not achieve the same significant, long-term pressure reduction as trabeculectomy. *Cyclophotocoagulation* - This procedure uses a laser to **destroy part of the ciliary body** epithelium, reducing aqueous humor production. - It is typically reserved for more advanced or refractory cases where other surgeries have failed or are not suitable, often associated with higher risks of inflammation and vision loss. *Goniotomy* - **Goniotomy** is primarily indicated for **congenital glaucoma** in infants and young children, where there is an abnormal angle structure. - It involves incising the trabecular meshwork directly to improve aqueous drainage, but it is generally not effective for adult primary open-angle glaucoma.

Q: Which test is used to directly visualize the drainage angle of the eye to help diagnose and differentiate types of glaucoma?

Gonioscopy. ***Gonioscopy*** - **Gonioscopy** directly visualizes the **iridocorneal angle**, allowing assessment of its openness and identifying any structural abnormalities or blockages contributing to glaucoma. - This crucial diagnostic procedure helps differentiate between **open-angle** and **angle-closure glaucoma**, guiding appropriate treatment strategies. *Tonometry* - **Tonometry** measures the **intraocular pressure (IOP)**, which is a significant risk factor for glaucoma but does not directly assess the drainage angle. - While high IOP is associated with glaucoma, it doesn't definitively diagnose open-angle glaucoma, as some individuals with normal IOP can still develop the condition. *Pachymetry* - **Pachymetry** measures the **corneal thickness**, which influences the accuracy of IOP readings obtained via tonometry. - It helps in interpreting IOP values by correcting for corneal thickness, but it does not directly evaluate the drainage angle or diagnose glaucoma itself. *Visual field testing* - **Visual field testing** assesses the extent of peripheral vision and identifies any **blind spots** or defects caused by optic nerve damage due to glaucoma. - While essential for monitoring disease progression and severity, it is an indirect measure of glaucoma's impact on vision, not a direct assessment of the drainage angle.

Q: A patient with glaucoma is being monitored for disease progression. What is the most appropriate method for detecting early functional changes?

Perimetry. ***Perimetry*** - **Perimetry** (visual field testing) directly assesses the patient's **functional vision** by detecting **scotomas** and visual field defects. - This is the gold standard for detecting **functional changes** in glaucoma, showing areas of vision loss that impact the patient's daily activities. - Automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field) can detect functional deficits and monitor progression over time. *Tonometry* - **Tonometry** measures **intraocular pressure (IOP)**, which is a risk factor for glaucoma but not a measure of functional damage. - Elevated IOP indicates risk but doesn't directly assess whether **visual function** has been affected or is progressing. *Gonioscopy* - **Gonioscopy** visualizes the **anterior chamber angle** to classify glaucoma type (open-angle vs. angle-closure). - Provides anatomical information but does not measure **functional vision loss** or detect progression of visual field defects. *OCT* - **Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)** detects **structural changes** in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and optic disc. - While OCT can detect structural damage early (sometimes before functional changes), it measures **anatomy**, not **function**. - The question specifically asks for functional changes, making perimetry the most appropriate choice.

Question 1

A 60-year-old male presents with a gradual loss of peripheral vision and is diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. Which of the following is the first line of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost)

Answer

Laser trabeculoplasty

Answer

Trabeculectomy

Answer

Oral acetazolamide

Question 2

In a 65-year-old patient with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma and an intraocular pressure of 30 mmHg despite maximal medical therapy, which surgical option is preferred for better intraocular pressure control?

Accepted Answer

Trabeculectomy with antifibrotics

Answer

Tube shunt surgery

Answer

Trabeculectomy without antifibrotics

Answer

Cyclodestructive procedure for refractory cases

Question 3

In a patient presenting with an acute unilateral red eye and visual impairment, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Answer

Conjunctivitis

Answer

Corneal abrasion

Answer

Uveitis

Question 4

A 40-year-old male presents with a history of blunt trauma to the eye. Examination reveals a deep anterior chamber and iris transillumination defects. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Angle-recession glaucoma

Answer

Hyphema

Answer

Retinal detachment

Answer

Commotio retinae

Question 5

Which technique is considered the gold standard for evaluating the angle of the anterior chamber in the eye?

Accepted Answer

Gonioscopy

Answer

Anterior segment OCT

Answer

Slit-lamp biomicroscopy

Answer

Ultrasound biomicroscopy

Question 6

In a 45-year-old patient presenting with sudden onset of severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, and eye pain over the past 6 hours, which condition should be prioritized for evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Glaucoma

Answer

Migraine

Answer

Temporal arteritis

Answer

Brain tumor

Question 7

A patient presents with blurred vision and sees 'halos' around lights. Examination reveals corneal edema and a mid-dilated pupil. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Answer

Chronic open-angle glaucoma

Answer

Central retinal vein occlusion

Answer

Keratitis

Question 8

A 50-year-old man with progressive visual field loss is diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. Which surgical procedure is most commonly performed if medical management is unsuccessful?

Accepted Answer

Trabeculectomy

Answer

Laser trabeculoplasty

Answer

Cyclophotocoagulation

Answer

Goniotomy

Question 9

Which test is used to directly visualize the drainage angle of the eye to help diagnose and differentiate types of glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Gonioscopy

Answer

Tonometry

Answer

Pachymetry

Answer

Visual field testing

Question 10

A patient with glaucoma is being monitored for disease progression. What is the most appropriate method for detecting early functional changes?

Accepted Answer

Perimetry

Answer

Tonometry

Answer

Gonioscopy

Answer

OCT

Glaucoma — MCQs

Glaucoma — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?