Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What type of cells in the anterior chamber can cause an acute elevation in intraocular pressure due to hyphema from blunt trauma?

1. Platelets

2. White blood cells

3. Red blood cells

4. Endothelial cells

The correct answer is: Red blood cells

The correct response is red blood cells, as they play a significant role in the formation of a hyphema, which is the pooling of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye. Hyphema typically occurs after blunt trauma, which can disrupt the blood vessels in the iris or the ciliary body, leading to bleeding. When red blood cells accumulate in the anterior chamber, they can impede the normal drainage of aqueous humor, thus causing an increase in intraocular pressure. This elevation in pressure is critical because it can lead to further complications, such as glaucoma, if not managed promptly. Red blood cells, more than any other cell type listed, are directly associated with hyphema and have a well-established link to the pathology involving intraocular pressure elevation in the context of trauma. Other cells, such as platelets and white blood cells, might be involved in the overall healing process or immune response but do not primarily influence intraocular pressure in the same manner as red blood cells do when present in the anterior chamber. Endothelial cells, while they play a role in maintaining the blood-aqueous barrier, are not directly responsible for the changes seen in intraocular pressure related to hyphema.