In the following condition, patients often describe a sudden, large flash of light with gradual loss ...

The answer to question 1  ANS: D
With retinal detachment, the patient usually provides a history of a contributing condition or trauma, followed by a sudden visual disturbance, such as flashing light, floaters, or scotoma. The visual defect may advance or progress as the retinal detachment enlarges, but central vision will be retained unless the macula is involved.

The answer to question 2  ANS: A
The most common cause of eye redness is conjunctivitis (see Plate 38), which involves an inflammation of one or more areas of the conjunctiva. It is important to discriminate between allergic, viral, bacterial, and other causes of conjunctivitis in order to provide definitive treatment. Infectious conjunctivitis is usually caused by viral organisms, although bacterial infections are also common and can be secondary to viral infections. Allergies are the most frequent cause of noninfectious conjunctivitis. Other causes include chemical reactions.

The answer to question 3  ANS: D
Most commonly, macular degeneration is associated with aging and results either from atrophy of the macula or exudation and hemorrhage of the vessels in the macular region.

The answer to question 4  ANS: C
In amaurosis fugax, the patient often describes an episode as if a shade had been pulled over one eye in a descending fashion and then, a short time later, the shade was raised and vision restored.