Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Which of the following situations require urgent attention and should be addressed on the same day?

1. Corneal foreign body

2. Retinal detachment

3. Sudden loss of vision in one eye

4. Optic neuritis

The correct answer is: Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment requires urgent attention and should be addressed on the same day because it is a sight-threatening condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. In cases of retinal detachment, the retina detaches from the back of the eye, leading to a loss of blood supply and potential damage to the retinal cells. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to reattach the retina and prevent further complications. While other conditions mentioned in the options, such as a corneal foreign body, sudden loss of vision in one eye, and optic neuritis, also require medical attention, they may not always necessitate same-day intervention like retinal detachment does. These conditions should still be addressed promptly, but the urgency is higher in the case of retinal detachment due to the potential for irreversible vision loss.