Retina and Vitreous
Core concepts
Know retinal anatomy (layers, macula, fovea) and vasculature. Understand diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusion, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachment types (rhegmatogenous, tractional, exudative). Learn OCT interpretation, fluorescein angiography patterns, and the role of anti-VEGF therapy. Recognise vitreous haemorrhage, posterior vitreous detachment, and macular hole. Understand retinopathy of prematurity screening.
Traps
Questions test distinguishing dry from wet AMD; wet shows subretinal fluid and haemorrhage. Remember rhegmatogenous detachment requires a break. Do not confuse central retinal vein occlusion (blood and thunder) with artery occlusion (pale retina, cherry-red spot). Anti-VEGF requires monitoring for endophthalmitis.
Worked example
A diabetic patient has sudden vision loss with vitreous haemorrhage. Investigate for proliferative diabetic retinopathy; consider vitrectomy if non-clearing. Rule of thumb: sudden painless loss with floaters suggests vitreous haemorrhage or detachment.