Candidate 141

Final FRCS /MRCS

Centre:  

   Date:    June 2010

 

I would like to share my unique experience of clearing both final MRCS Ed and FRCS 
Glasgow part 3 in June 2010. At the beginning I would summarize the key differences 
between both colleges (MRCS Ed is already replaced by FRCS Ed, which is basically 
the same but 4 parts instead of 3, but according to the college the MRCS exams will 
continue in Cairo and Hong Kong).

• In Edinburg there is no minus marketing in MCQ

• In Edinburg there is no problem solving Paper

• In Edinburg the is no General Medicine Viva

• In Edinburg, if you pass MCQ + Viva you do not have to repeat them

• In Edinburg you only have to repeat the clinical station you fail

• In Glasgow there is no clinical refraction station

• In Edinburg, the viva is easier but the clinical stations in more meticulous and also 
more objective and examiners are much supportive

• In Glasgow the clinical stations are easier but the viva are more tough and need a 
solid knowledge.

 

Part 3 FRCS in Glasgow June 2010

A- Viva:

1- Ophthalmic Medicine: 2 examiners, a lady and a gentleman

• Color photo of unilateral proptosis + Lid retraction: 
DD, Thyroid Eye Disease Manifestations, and Optic neuropathy 
Management in TED, Role of Radiotherapy and How does it Work?

• Color photo of Optic disc swelling: DD and Stress on systemic causes ( need 
Hypertension and you should ask the physician to reduce the BL Pressure 
gradually not rapidly)

• Color photo of PUK in RA: Treatment

• Amblyopia in children: everything; types, methods of vision assessment in 
children, Treatment ( need cut-off age, there is no cut-off age, any age 
deserve a trial)


2- Ophthalmic Surgery: 2 gentlemen examiners

• 3 months infant with epiphora: DD and management of NLD obstruction

• 4 months infant with upper lid mass: DD and capillary hemangioma management

• 13 years old child with traumatic cataract and iridodialysis: Management (What is 
the Phaco Power in this case? No need for power as there is not hard nucleus.

• Indication of Surgical Management of POAG

• Management of Post-Operative endophthalmitis and role of vitrectomy

• 25 old man with sudden eyestrain and head tilt ( need 4th CN)

3- Medicine and Neurology: ( most difficult unpredictable station)

• Sarcoidosis: Manifestations ocular and systemic, Investigations, Steroid treatment 
(need peptic ulcer and osteoporosis prophylaxis)

• DD of Ptosis ( need everything about Mysthenia Gravis)

• Atrial Fibrillations: Cardiac Causes!, Systemic Causes (need Thyrotoxicosis), 
Investigations!

• Postoperative Chest Pain: Need Pneumonia (clinical diagnosis and Investigations) 
and Pulmonary Embolism (need everything, clinical diagnosis, investigations with stress 
on CT Angiography, ECG signs, Heart sounds and treatment)

• Complications of warfarin!!


B- Clinical Stations

1- Anterior Segment: 2 ladies, one with both superficial Lattice-like and deeper Granular-like 
dystrophies in her R eye and only Granular-like dystrophy in L eye (most probably Avilino 
Dystrophy). Other Lady with unilateral R aphakia with deep AC and L intumescent cataract 
with shallow AC

2- Posterior Segment: 2 young men, one with Retinitis Pimentosa + Polydactyly ( be careful 
the extra finger was removed surgically) so this was Bardiet-Beadel Syndrome. Other man 
with bilateral advanced Glaucomatous cupping and asked for possible AC manifestations 
(need PEX, Pigmentary, Neovascularization,….)

3- Oculoplastics: One gentleman with bilateral senile ptosis (need to measure the Levator 
function and plan for surgery). A Lady with TED examination systemic and orbital and 
management of exposure keratopathy. There was extra time for a third case with L Artificial 
eye, possible aetiologies.

4- Neuro-ophthalmology + EOM motility: One lady with bilateral papilledema, DD. Another for 
EOM has limited L Abduction. Then asked to do blind spot examination for her!

 
Mr Mohamad Abdullah

Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon

Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt
 

More candidates' experience