A 70-year-old woman with acute primary angle-closure glaucoma of the left eye has IOP of 56 mmHg. Corneal oedema prevents adequate gonioscopy. Which manoeuvre can be performed at the bedside to rapidly assess the depth of the anterior chamber angle without specialised equipment?
- A Flashlight test: shining a penlight perpendicular to the iris from the temporal side ✓
- B Schirmer test
- C Fluorescein staining
- D Cover-uncover test
Correct answer: A. Flashlight test: shining a penlight perpendicular to the iris from the temporal side
Explanation
The flashlight test (oblique illumination test) assesses anterior chamber depth at the bedside. A penlight held temporal to the eye and directed perpendicular to the iris illuminates half or less of the iris in a shallow chamber (narrow angle), whereas a deep chamber illuminates the full iris. Schirmer tests tear production. Fluorescein detects corneal defects. Cover-uncover tests ocular alignment.
Reference: American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic and Clinical Science Course, 2023-2024 ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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