Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

Which of the following injuries would involve the accumulation of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye?

1. Corneal abrasion

2. Hyphema

3. Retinal detachment

4. Traumatic iritis

The correct answer is: Hyphema

The accumulation of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye is referred to as hyphema. This condition typically arises from trauma to the eye that causes bleeding from the blood vessels in the iris or ciliary body. When blood collects in the space between the cornea and the iris, it can lead to vision impairment and increased intraocular pressure, which may require medical intervention. On the other hand, corneal abrasion refers to a scratch on the surface of the cornea, causing pain and irritation but does not involve blood accumulation. Retinal detachment involves the separation of the retina from the underlying tissue and may lead to vision loss, but again, does not involve blood accumulation in the anterior chamber. Traumatic iritis, while involving inflammation of the iris, does not typically present with blood in the anterior chamber either, and instead primarily deals with pain, light sensitivity, and potential blurry vision. Understanding these distinctions helps in identifying and managing various eye injuries accurately, reinforcing why hyphema is specifically associated with blood accumulation in the anterior chamber.