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American Board of Optometry

Serving the public and the profession by assessing and certifying the competency of optometrists.

02/19/2026

Did you answer correctly? Focal intraretinal periarteriolar transudates (FIPTs) are one of the earliest findings seen in malignant hypertension and are rarely seen otherwise (i.e. they are specific to malignant hypertension). They are seen as focal, oval, small white lesions deep in the retina associated with arteriolar vessels. FIBTs result from leakage of precapillary arterioles due to breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and accumulation of fluid in the deep retina. They resemble cotton-wool spots but are present in the deeper (outer) retina.

Reference for further reading: Hammond S, Wells JR, Marcus DM, Prisant LM. Ophthalmoscopic findings in malignant hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2006 Mar;8(3):221-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2005.04147.x. PMID: 16523002; PMCID: PMC8109473.

02/18/2026

Brush up on your knowledge while preparing for the current CAP assessment!

02/12/2026

Attending SECO? We'll be there!

02/11/2026

Want to learn more? Here's a supporting reference.
Di Marco E, Aiello F, Lombardo M, Di Marino M, Missiroli F, Mancino R, Ricci F, Nucci C, Noce A, Di Daniele N, Cesareo M. A literature review of hypertensive retinopathy: systemic correlations and new technologies. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Sep;26(18):6424-6443. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202209_29742. PMID: 36196693.

02/10/2026

Leave your answer in the comments!

02/03/2026

On Board Volume I 2026 is now available! Lots of information to share.

https://createsend.com/t/r-88BB8B7C8F3FBBC52540EF23F30FEDED

01/30/2026

And the correct answer is....D! Over years, persistently elevated blood pressure results in arteriolosclerosis of the retinal vessels, caused by intimal thickening (due to deposition of cholesterol), hyperplasia of the tunica media, and hyaline degeneration. Clinically this is seen as more severe arteriolar narrowing, AV crossing changes, light reflex, and tortuosity of arterioles.
For additional Reading:
Reference: Di Marco E, Aiello F, Lombardo M, Di Marino M, Missiroli F, Mancino R, Ricci F, Nucci C, Noce A, Di Daniele N, Cesareo M. A literature review of hypertensive retinopathy: systemic correlations and new technologies. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Sep;26(18):6424-6443. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202209_29742. PMID: 36196693.

01/26/2026

It's official!

01/23/2026

Read more in the following reference:
Reference: Di Marco E, Aiello F, Lombardo M, Di Marino M, Missiroli F, Mancino R, Ricci F, Nucci C, Noce A, Di Daniele N, Cesareo M. A literature review of hypertensive retinopathy: systemic correlations and new technologies. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Sep;26(18):6424-6443. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202209_29742. PMID: 36196693.

01/21/2026

Let's get ready to take the Posterior Segment CAP! Leave your answer in the comments below.

01/15/2026

If you answered "D" you are correct!

For additional reading see the following reference: Dziedziak J, Zaleska-Żmijewska A, Szaflik JP, Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska A. Impact of Arterial Hypertension on the Eye: A Review of the Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Methods, and Treatment of Hypertensive Retinopathy. Med Sci Monit. 2022 Jan 20;28:e935135. doi: 10.12659/MSM.935135. PMID: 35046380; PMCID: PMC8790937.

01/14/2026

Check back tomorrow for the answer and a reference! For all Diplomates, the Posterior Segment CAP Assessment is released tomorrow, January 15. The question of the week supports topics covered in the new CAP!

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