Ophthalmology exam questions
3 exam-length papers covering every published domain for Ophthalmology.
DHA OPH58413 papers · 434 Qs
What is riding on this exam
~AED 1,030
Exam fee, per attempt
Published by DHA. Paid again on every re-sit.
3
Attempts - in total
The cap is three across all UAE authorities, not three each.
60%
Pass mark
Pass or fail only. Your score is never released.
One failed attempt costs you the fee again, plus months of delay on your licence, your visa and your start date. This bank costs about a 4th of one exam fee.
Try two questions from this bank
Real questions from the bank - pick an answer to see the rationale and reference.
Q1Patient Safety, Professionalism, Ethics and Practice in the GCC
Two weeks after an uneventful list, it emerges that a patient received an IOL intended for another patient on the same list, leaving a 4 D refractive surprise. Which sequence best reflects correct incident management?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Q2Patient Safety, Professionalism, Ethics and Practice in the GCC
A surgeon receives consultancy fees from the manufacturer of a femtosecond laser platform and wishes to present outcome data on that platform at a national meeting and to recommend it to patients in clinic. Which course of action is correct?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Not sure where you stand? Sit 25 of these questions free, timed at real exam pace, and see which domains you are weakest in.
Take the free mock exam →Liked those? The full bank has 434 questions at this standard - every one with a rationale and a reference.
Get the full bank - AED 289What's inside
- ✓3 full-length papers (~150 Q each)
- ✓434 questions, no overlap between papers
- ✓Four options, one unambiguous best answer
- ✓A full rationale on every question
- ✓A real guideline or textbook reference
- ✓Every sub-topic in the published blueprint
Exam route by authority
| Authority | Delivered by | Specialist title |
|---|---|---|
| DHA - Dubai | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| DOH - Abu Dhabi | Pearson VUE | Computer-based MCQ |
| MOHAP - Northern Emirates | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| SCFHS - Saudi Arabia | Prometric / Pearson | Computer-based MCQ |
| QCHP - Qatar | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| NHRA - Bahrain | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| OMSB - Oman | Prometric | MCQ then oral viva |
Assessment mode depends on your licence title as well as your profession. Confirm your own route on your Sheryan / TAMM eligibility notice.
What the Ophthalmology exam covers
The published blueprint for this exam breaks into 12 domains and 217 testable sub-topics. Our bank covers every one of them - here is the full map, so you can see exactly what you are expected to know.
Optics, Refraction and Visual Function~7% (est.)16 topics
- Geometric optics: vergence, refraction at spherical surfaces, thin and thick lens formulae, prism dioptres and Prentice's rule
- Schematic and reduced eye models; axial length, corneal power and total refractive power contributions
- Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism (regular, irregular, with-the-rule, against-the-rule) and anisometropia
- Accommodation, presbyopia, the near triad and accommodative amplitude by age
- Retinoscopy technique, with and against movement, and working distance correction
- Subjective refraction, duochrome test, Jackson cross-cylinder and binocular balancing
- +10 more in the bank
Cornea, External Disease and Ocular Surface~10% (est.)18 topics
- Corneal anatomy, layers including Dua's layer, endothelial pump function and corneal transparency
- Infectious keratitis: bacterial, fungal, Acanthamoeba and herpetic - scraping technique, culture media and empirical therapy
- Herpes simplex keratitis: epithelial dendritic, stromal (necrotising and immune), endothelialitis; HEDS trial-based management
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, Hutchinson's sign, post-herpetic neuralgia and antiviral prophylaxis
- Contact-lens-related keratitis, corneal ulcer risk factors and hypopyon evaluation
- Dry eye disease: aqueous-deficient versus evaporative, meibomian gland dysfunction, Schirmer, TBUT, osmolarity, staining grading
- +12 more in the bank
Cataract and Lens Surgery~10% (est.)18 topics
- Lens embryology, anatomy, metabolism and mechanisms of cataractogenesis
- Cataract morphology: nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular, polar, traumatic, congenital
- Secondary cataract: steroid-induced, diabetic, uveitic, post-vitrectomy, radiation
- Preoperative assessment: visual significance, potential acuity testing, endothelial cell count, comorbidity screening
- Anaesthesia for cataract surgery: topical, sub-Tenon, peribulbar, retrobulbar - technique and complications (globe perforation, brainstem anaesthesia)
- Phacoemulsification steps: capsulorhexis, hydrodissection, nucleus disassembly (divide and conquer, phaco chop), cortex removal
- +12 more in the bank
Glaucoma~11% (est.)19 topics
- Aqueous humour dynamics, trabecular and uveoscleral outflow, episcleral venous pressure and the Goldmann equation
- IOP measurement: Goldmann applanation, effect of central corneal thickness, dynamic contour, rebound and non-contact tonometry
- Gonioscopy: Shaffer and Spaeth grading, indentation gonioscopy, identification of angle structures and abnormal angle findings
- Optic disc assessment: cup-disc ratio, ISNT rule, neuroretinal rim, disc haemorrhage, peripapillary atrophy, disc size correction
- OCT RNFL and ganglion cell analysis; red disease and green disease artefacts; floor effect in advanced disease
- Visual field testing: SITA strategies, reliability indices, Anderson-Patella criteria, glaucoma hemifield test, progression analysis (GPA, VFI)
- +13 more in the bank
Medical and Surgical Retina, Vitreous~13% (est.)19 topics
- Retinal and choroidal anatomy, blood-retinal barriers, photoreceptor physiology and the phototransduction cascade
- Diabetic retinopathy: ETDRS/ICDR classification, NPDR versus PDR, clinically significant macular oedema, ETDRS and DRCR.net evidence
- Diabetic macular oedema and PDR management: anti-VEGF agents, intravitreal steroids, PRP, vitrectomy for tractional detachment/vitreous haemorrhage
- Age-related macular degeneration: drusen classification, geographic atrophy, neovascular AMD types 1-3, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
- Anti-VEGF therapy: ranibizumab, aflibercept, bevacizumab, brolucizumab, faricimab - regimens (monthly, treat-and-extend, PRN), MARINA/ANCHOR/CATT evidence, endophthalmitis and intraocular inflammation risk
- AREDS/AREDS2 supplementation, complement inhibitors for geographic atrophy, and smoking cessation counselling
- +13 more in the bank
Uveitis, Ocular Immunology and Ocular Infection~8% (est.)16 topics
- SUN Working Group classification: anatomic location, onset, duration, course; grading of anterior chamber cells and flare and vitreous haze
- Anterior uveitis: HLA-B27-associated, idiopathic, Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis, Posner-Schlossman syndrome
- Intermediate uveitis and pars planitis, snowbanking, and multiple sclerosis association
- Posterior uveitis and panuveitis: sarcoidosis, Behcet disease, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada, sympathetic ophthalmia
- Infectious uveitis: toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme, herpetic anterior uveitis, acute retinal necrosis, progressive outer retinal necrosis
- CMV retinitis and immune recovery uveitis in HIV; ocular manifestations of immunosuppression
- +10 more in the bank
Neuro-Ophthalmology~9% (est.)19 topics
- Visual pathway anatomy and localisation of field defects from retina to occipital cortex
- Pupillary pathways: relative afferent pupillary defect, anisocoria algorithm, light-near dissociation, Argyll Robertson pupil
- Horner syndrome: localisation, pharmacologic testing (apraclonidine, cocaine, hydroxyamphetamine), imaging of the carotid and apex
- Adie tonic pupil, pharmacologic mydriasis and third nerve palsy pupil involvement
- Optic neuritis: typical demyelinating versus atypical, ONTT evidence, MOG-IgG and AQP4/NMOSD antibody testing
- Ischaemic optic neuropathy: non-arteritic (NAION) versus arteritic; giant cell arteritis - ESR/CRP, temporal artery biopsy, urgent high-dose steroids
- +13 more in the bank
Oculoplastics, Orbit and Lacrimal System~8% (est.)20 topics
- Eyelid anatomy: lamellae, tarsus, levator and Muller muscle, canthal tendons, orbital septum, vascular and nerve supply
- Ptosis: congenital versus acquired, aponeurotic, myogenic, neurogenic, mechanical; MRD1, levator function, measurement and surgical selection (levator resection, Muller muscle-conjunctival resection, frontalis sling)
- Pseudoptosis, brow ptosis, dermatochalasis and blepharoplasty assessment
- Entropion, ectropion, trichiasis and distichiasis - classification and repair techniques
- Eyelid malposition after trauma or surgery: lagophthalmos, retraction, exposure keratopathy management
- Benign eyelid lesions: chalazion, hordeolum, papilloma, xanthelasma, cyst of Zeis/Moll
- +14 more in the bank
Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus~9% (est.)19 topics
- Visual development, critical period, and age-appropriate assessment of vision (fixation preference, Teller cards, Cardiff, HOTV, LogMAR crowded)
- Cycloplegic refraction, prescribing guidelines in children and refractive amblyogenic thresholds
- Amblyopia: strabismic, anisometropic, deprivation, ametropic - PEDIG evidence on patching dose, atropine penalisation, and treatment age limits
- Extraocular muscle anatomy, actions, innervation, Sherrington and Hering laws
- Strabismus measurement: cover/uncover, alternate cover, prism cover test, Hirschberg, Krimsky, and the nine positions of gaze
- Esotropia: infantile, accommodative (refractive and high AC/A), partially accommodative, sensory, consecutive
- +13 more in the bank
Ocular Trauma and Ophthalmic Emergencies~6% (est.)17 topics
- BETT terminology: open versus closed globe, rupture, penetrating, perforating, intraocular foreign body, lamellar laceration
- Initial assessment of the injured eye: visual acuity documentation, avoiding pressure on a suspected open globe, protective shield, tetanus and antibiotic prophylaxis
- Ocular Trauma Score and prognostication for counselling
- Open globe repair: corneal and scleral laceration closure, uveal prolapse management, timing of secondary vitrectomy
- Intraocular foreign body: imaging choice (CT versus contraindicated MRI for metallic FB), siderosis and chalcosis, removal technique
- Sympathetic ophthalmia: risk, timing, prophylactic enucleation decision and consent discussion
- +11 more in the bank
Ocular Oncology, Pathology and Systemic Disease~5% (est.)17 topics
- Principles of ophthalmic pathology: specimen handling, orientation, fixation and requesting appropriate stains
- Conjunctival lesions: naevus, primary acquired melanosis, conjunctival melanoma, ocular surface squamous neoplasia - excision with no-touch technique, cryotherapy, topical chemotherapy
- Uveal melanoma: iris, ciliary body and choroidal; TFSOM risk factors, transillumination, ultrasound features
- Uveal melanoma management: plaque brachytherapy, proton beam, enucleation (COMS trial), monosomy 3/GEP prognostication, metastatic surveillance
- Choroidal naevus surveillance and differentiation from small melanoma
- Choroidal metastasis, choroidal haemangioma and osteoma
- +11 more in the bank
Patient Safety, Professionalism, Ethics and Practice in the GCC~4% (est.)19 topics
- Informed consent for ophthalmic surgery: capacity, material risks, realistic outcome expectations, refractive and premium-IOL consent
- Wrong-site, wrong-eye, wrong-IOL surgery: WHO surgical safety checklist, site marking, time-out and IOL verification protocols
- Never events and serious incident reporting; root cause analysis and the duty of candour after a surgical complication
- Disclosure of error and open communication with patients and families after an adverse outcome
- Infection prevention: sterilisation of ophthalmic instruments, endophthalmitis prophylaxis bundles, prevention of adenoviral cross-infection in clinics
- Intravitreal injection safety protocol: aseptic technique, no routine topical antibiotics, bilateral same-day injection precautions
- +13 more in the bank
Before you book your exam
Ophthalmology licensing in the GCC
Requirements, timelines and salary by country
Do I need to sit a Prometric exam?
Check the format and pass mark for your authority
Am I eligible to apply?
Free eligibility check against the PQR criteria
Licensing in the UAE
DHA, DOH and MOHAP compared
Exam preparation support
One-to-one guidance alongside the question banks
Guides and articles
Dataflow, PCC, exam booking and relocation
Frequently asked questions
No. Every item is original, written by our team against the exam blueprint published by the health authorities. Real, recalled or leaked exam content breaches the testing bodies' rules and can lead to a permanent exam ban - we do not sell it, and neither should anyone else.
Still unsure whether you even need this exam?
Your route depends on your profession, your licence title and the authority. We have guided over 1,000 professionals through GCC licensing - tell us your situation and we will confirm exactly what you need to sit.