DHA Ophthalmology Specialist Exam MCQs 2026

DHA Ophthalmology Specialist Prometric Exam Overview

The Dubai Health Authority mandates this specialist licensing exam for qualified ophthalmologists seeking to practice across public hospitals, specialized eye centers, and private day-care surgical clinics in Dubai. The computer-based test evaluates diagnostic proficiency, advanced ophthalmic imaging interpretation, microsurgical decision-making, and emergency vision-saving interventions. Candidates can schedule their appointment through Prometric after completing primary source credential verification through DataFlow and securing an approved eligibility ID on the DHA Sheryan portal.

Exam Parameter	Details
Exam Title	Dubai Prometric Specialist Ophthalmologist Exam
Authority	Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Delivery Mode	Prometric Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Code	OPH5841
Question Format	Multiple-Choice (Single Best Answer)
Number of MCQs	150 questions
Exam Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Passing Score	65%
Negative Marking	None
Language	English
Score Result	Pass / Fail outcome posted directly to the Sheryan portal
Score Validity	5 years

Detailed Syllabus & Domain Breakdown

The blueprint evaluates specialist-level ophthalmic medicine and microsurgical judgment. Clinical scenarios frequently require interpreting optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FFA), visual fields, and corneal topography, while formulating evidence-based surgical or pharmacological treatment plans aligned with international guidelines.

Specialty Module	Core Topics	Key Focus Areas & Clinical Scenarios
Vitreoretinal Diseases & Medical Retina	Diabetic retinopathy classification (ETDRS), diabetic macular edema, retinal vein/artery occlusions, age-related macular degeneration (dry vs. wet), and retinal tears/detachments (rhegmatogenous, tractional, exudative).	Interpreting OCT retinal maps and fundus fluorescein angiograms, selecting anti-VEGF regimens vs. focal/panretinal photocoagulation, and immediate management of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO).
Glaucoma & Aqueous Dynamics	Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), acute and chronic angle-closure glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, secondary glaucomas (pseudoexfoliative, pigmentary, neovascular), and aqueous outflow physiology.	Interpreting Humphrey visual field printouts (mean deviation, pattern defect) and OCT RNFL thickness scans, performing dynamic gonioscopy, medical step-therapy, laser iridotomy (LPI), and trabeculectomy indications.
Cornea, External Diseases & Refractive Care	Infectious keratitis (bacterial, viral, fungal, Acanthamoeba), corneal dystrophies, keratoconus, dry eye disease, pterygium, chemical burns, and keratorefractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE).	Differentiating fungal from bacterial corneal ulcers, interpreting corneal topography and pachymetry maps for ectasia risk, emergency management of ocular alkali/acid burns, and amniotic membrane graft utility.
Cataract & Lens Surgery	Preoperative biometry formulas (SRK/T, Barrett Universal II), intraocular lens (IOL) selection (toric, multifocal, EDOF), phacoemulsification mechanics, and lens-induced glaucomas.	Managing intraoperative posterior capsule rupture (PCR) and dropped nucleus, diagnosing toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) vs. acute post-op endophthalmitis, and resolving refractive surprise.
Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus	Amblyopia types and occlusion therapy, childhood strabismus (concomitant vs. incomitant), infantile esotropia, accommodative esotropia, leukocoria evaluation, and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).	Differential diagnosis of leukocoria (retinoblastoma, persistent fetal vasculature, Coats disease), ROP screening timelines and laser/anti-VEGF criteria, and calculating surgical muscle recession/resection amounts.
Neuro-Ophthalmology & Orbit	Optic neuritis, non-arteritic vs. arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION vs. AAION), papilledema, pupillary abnormalities (Horner's, Argyll Robertson, RAPD), and cranial nerve palsies (III, IV, VI).	Emergency differentiation of giant cell arteritis vs. NAION, investigating pupil-involving third nerve palsy (posterior communicating artery aneurysm), and managing thyroid eye disease with optic nerve compression.
Uveitis & Intraocular Inflammations	Anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis, HLA-B27 associated anterior uveitis, Behçet disease, sarcoidosis, ocular toxoplasmosis, and acute retinal necrosis (ARN).	Tailoring systemic immunosuppression vs. local intravitreal steroids, distinguishing infectious from non-infectious uveitis on funduscopy, and managing uveitic complications such as secondary glaucoma and cystoid macular edema.
Oculoplastics & Lacrimal Disorders	Ectropion, entropion, ptosis (neurogenic, myogenic, aponeurotic, mechanical), blepharitis, chalazion, lacrimal drainage obstruction (dacryocystitis), and eyelid malignancies (basal cell carcinoma).	Differentiating preseptal from orbital cellulitis, margin-involving eyelid lesion biopsy indications, surgical management pathways for congenital vs. acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and ptosis workups.
Clinical Optics, Refraction & Contact Lenses	Physical and geometric optics, reflection, refraction, lenses (spherical, cylindrical, prisms), optical aberrations, retinoscopy principles, and therapeutic/rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses.	Transposing spherocylindrical prescriptions, correcting chromatic and spherical aberrations, prescribing prism diopters for diplopia, and managing high irregular astigmatism with scleral or RGP lenses.
Ophthalmic Emergencies, Safety & Medical Ethics	Globe rupture and penetrating trauma, intraocular foreign body (IOFB), retrobulbar hematoma, severe chemical burns, patient consent, and DHA medical liability laws.	Performing immediate lateral canthotomy and cantholysis for compartment syndrome, non-contact eye shielding in open-globe trauma, obtaining informed surgical consent, and incident disclosure standards.

DHA Ophthalmology Specialist Exam MCQs