Arab Board Ophthalmology Final Written study guide
Arab Board Ophthalmology Final Written · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arab Board of Health Specializations awards a specialty certification in ophthalmology that is recognised across much of the Arab world and is frequently listed as a hiring or promotion requirement in hospital and academic posts. The Final Written examination is the written component of Part II and is aimed at candidates who have completed structured ophthalmology training and are ready to demonstrate consultant-level breadth. The Arab Board Ophthalmology Final Written study guide has 12 sections and about 2,637 words.
01Cornea, External Disease and Anterior Segment
Know the layered anatomy and what each layer contributes to disease: epithelium (tight junctions, limbal stem cells), Bowman layer, stroma (collagen lamellae and keratocytes, governs scarring and oedema), Descemet membrane, endothelium (pump without regeneration). Master the corneal oedema pathway (endothelial failure → stromal hydration → folds then bullae), the difference between epithelial and stromal defects, and the logic of tectonic vs optical keratoplasty.
283 words, about 1 min02Glaucoma
Build a framework around open-angle vs angle-closure, primary vs secondary, and the aqueous pathway (ciliary body → trabecular meshwork → Schlemm canal → episcleral veins). Understand IOP as a balance of production and outflow, and how each drug class acts on that balance: prostaglandins (uveoscleral outflow), beta-blockers (production), alpha-agonists (both), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (production), cholinergics (outflow).
247 words, about 1 min03Retina and Vitreous
Separate retinal disease by layer and mechanism: vascular (diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusion), degenerative (AMD, dystrophies), tractional (vitreomacular, proliferative diabetic), and detachment (rhegmatogenous vs tractional vs exudative). Know the diabetic retinopathy staging (NPDR severity, PDR with high-risk features) and the role of anti-VEGF and panretinal photocoagulation.
250 words, about 1 min04Uveitis and Ocular Immunology
Classify uveitis by anatomy (anterior, intermediate, posterior, panuveitis), onset, and laterality. Know the classic associations: HLA-B27 anterior uveitis (ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis), sarcoidosis (granulomatous, mutton-fat), Behçet (hypopyon, retinal vasculitis), toxoplasmosis (focal retinochoroiditis), and CMV (immunocompromised, sectoral iris atrophy).
218 words, about 1 min05Oculoplastics, Orbit and Lacrimal System
Know eyelid anatomy (levator aponeurosis, Müller muscle, tarsus) and the causes of ptosis: aponeurotic (most common, involutional), myogenic (myasthenia), neurogenic (Horner, third nerve), mechanical, and congenital. Understand the orbital compartments and the red flags of orbital disease: proptosis, pain, motility restriction, and optic nerve compromise.
232 words, about 1 min06Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Understand visual development and the critical period; amblyopia arises from deprivation, strabismus, or anisometropia, and treatment is most effective early. Know the types of strabismus: esotropia (infantile, accommodative, acquired), exotropia (intermittent, sensory), and vertical deviations.
205 words, about 1 min07Neuro-Ophthalmology
Master the afferent and efferent pathways: optic nerve, chiasm, optic tract, and visual cortex, plus the pupil light reflex and its defects (RAPD, Horner, Adie). Know the pattern of visual field loss by lesion site: monocular (optic nerve), bitemporal (chiasm), homonymous (retrochiasmal).
214 words, about 1 min08Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Know cataract types (nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular), their risk factors (age, steroids, diabetes, trauma, UV), and the decision to operate based on visual function, not just density. Understand biometry (axial length, keratometry, IOL power calculation) and the difference between phacoemulsification and extracapsular extraction.
213 words, about 1 min09Ocular Oncology and Pathology
Know the common ocular tumours: uveal melanoma (choroidal, iris, ciliary body), retinoblastoma (children, leukocoria), lymphoma (masquerade), and conjunctival lesions (SCC, melanoma, naevus). Understand the difference between benign and malignant features: size, growth, vascularity, and systemic associations.
207 words, about 1 min10Ophthalmic Optics, Refraction and Contact Lenses
Understand the basics of refraction: emmetropia, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Know the principles of retinoscopy, subjective refraction, and the difference between spherical and cylindrical correction.
193 words, under 1 min11Ocular Trauma and Emergencies
Know the initial assessment of ocular trauma: ABCs, visual acuity, pupillary reaction, and a systematic exam. Understand chemical injury (alkali worse than acid), penetrating trauma, hyphaema, and orbital fractures.
202 words, about 1 min12Basic and Clinical Sciences Applied to Ophthalmology
Integrate pharmacology (drug classes, mechanisms, side effects), microbiology (common pathogens, culture, antibiotics), genetics (inherited retinal dystrophies, retinoblastoma), and evidence-based practice (study design, sensitivity/specificity, number needed to treat). Know the key drugs: prostaglandins, beta-blockers, steroids, antibiotics, and anti-VEGF agents.
173 words, under 1 min