ABPS Ophthalmology case studies
ABPS Ophthalmology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ABPS Ophthalmology certification is a board credential offered by the American Board of Physician Specialties for ophthalmologists who want to demonstrate mastery of the full scope of clinical eye care beyond residency training. It is intended for practicing physicians who diagnose and manage disorders of the anterior segment, lens, retina, optic nerve, orbit, and ocular adnexa, as well as pediatric and inflammatory disease. The exam is multiple choice and samples broadly across ten content domains, with the heaviest emphasis on cornea/external disease and retina/vitreous, followed by glaucoma, cataract and refractive surgery, and neuro-ophthalmology. Questions test applied clinical judgment rather than isolated recall: interpreting findings described in vignettes, selecting next steps in workup, recognizing complications, and choosing among competing management options. The ABPS Ophthalmology case studies are 5 cases and about 3,412 words.
1Post-Cataract Corneal Decompensation in Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy
A 74-year-old woman with known Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (central guttata, preoperative central corneal thickness 640 microns) underwent uneventful phacoemulsification with in-the-bag posterior chamber IOL in the right eye 6 weeks ago. She reports persistent blurring and glare worse in the morning.
707 words, about 4 min2Progressive Visual Field Loss Despite Controlled IOP
A 62-year-old man with primary open-angle glaucoma has been followed for 5 years. His IOP has ranged 13-16 mmHg on latanoprost nightly and timolol twice daily.
734 words, about 4 min3Sudden Vision Loss with a Normal-Appearing Fundus
A 58-year-old woman presents with painless sudden loss of vision in the right eye noted on waking 2 days ago. She describes a 'dark curtain' over the superior field.
722 words, about 4 min4Leukocoria in a Toddler: Weighing Diagnoses and Urgency
A 2-year-old boy is brought by his parents because they noticed a white pupillary reflex in the left eye in several photographs over the past month. He is otherwise well, no known syndromes, no family history of eye disease or retinoblastoma.
623 words, about 3 min5Refractive Surgery Candidacy in a High Myope with Thin Corneas
A 29-year-old woman seeks laser refractive surgery. She is a contact lens wearer who removes lenses 2 weeks before evaluation.
626 words, about 3 min