FRCS(G) EXAMINATION NOV 2008 GLASGOW- MY EXPERIENCE

My name is Dr. Hussnian Abbas, I appeared in FRCS(G) EXAMINATION NOV 2008 at Glasgow and by the Grace of Almighty Allah I passed the exame in first attempt. For this I am especially thankful to my parents and my patients who have prayed for my success like anything. I am also thankful to my teachers especially Dr. Muthu and my colleagues especially Dr. Nadia, their guidance for this examination was immaculate and everlasting. I would try to narrate my experience as much as I can do it for those who are interested to appear in this exame, for any further question or guideline u can contact me on my email address that is abbasoptical@hotmail.com.

1) On the first day that is 04 November 08, there was theory paper my questions were:-

Q 1) A 52 YRS OLD LADY ATTENDED YOUR CLINIC ATER HAVING BEEN TREATED FOR A CONTACT LENS RELATED KERATITIS IN HER RIGHT EYE FOR 1 MONTH. THE LEFT EYE HAS BEEN AMBLYOPIC SINCE CHILDHOOD AND HER RT EYE WAS PREVIOUSLY HER GOOD EYE. ACUTIES ARE 6/36 RE IMPORIVING TO 6/18 WITH PINHOLE AND CF IN LE. THERE IS SLIGHT EPITHELIAL AND SUBEPITHELIAL OPACITY IN THE AXIAL RIGHT CORNEA WITH NO OBVIOUS ACTIVE INFLAMMATION OR ULCER. THE PATIENT WANTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING SO SHE CAN RETURN TO HER WORK AS A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER.
WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THIS PATIENT AND EXPLIAN HOW SHE WOULD BEST BE MANAGED?

Q 2) A 27 YRS OLD MAN IS REFERRED TO YOU BY THE OPTICIAN WITH CATARACT IN BOTH EYES. HE IS MYOPIC AND HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD LEFT RETINAL DETACHMENT SRGERY. ON EXAMOINATION ACITIES ARE 6/12 RIGHT AND 6/18 LEFT AND AS WELL AS SOME CATARACT YOU NOTICE HIS LENSES ARE SLIGHTLY SUBLUXATED WITH IRIDODINESIS. HE IS KEEN TO CONTINUE DRIVING.

HOW WOLD YOU INVESTIGATE AND MANAGE THIS PATIENT AND WHAT ADVICE WOLD YOU GIVE HIM REGARDING HIS DRIVING?


Q 3) AN 18 YRS OLD BOY WITH NORMAL VISION ATTENDS FOR A ROUTINE MEDICAL FOR A JOB INTRVIEW. THE EXAMINING DOCTOR FINDS DISC SWELLING IN BOTH EYES, THE LEFT MORE THAN RIGHT. HE REFERS HIM AS AN EMERGENCY AND YOU SEE HIM AT YOU CLINIC THAT DAY.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND HOW WOULD YOU INVESTIGATE AND MANAGE THE CASE?

The MCQs were tough and require in depth study and practice also.

2) On second day 05 November 08 there were vivas:-

My first viva was of medicine, there were two British examiners, questions started from a scenario by the physician that your nurse sends a call for u that one of the patients whom u had operated yesterday for cataract has developed acute severe breathlessness how u are going to evaluate and manage this patient. The discussion was then about pulmonary causes like acute severe asthma and acute exacerbation of COPD, CVS causes like LVF and pulmonary embolism, their differences, how to differentiate clinically & management. Then there was a fundus photograph of both fundi together one fundus showing optic atrophy & other optic atrophy. Then discussion was about MS & Foster Kennedy Syndrome. There was another scenario about MG and discussion regarding that. This was the most terrifying viva for me but by the grace of God it went well.

Second viva was ophthalmic medicine. There were two Indian examiners many difficult slides of different lesions of the fundus eg disciform scaring, MM, large sub retinal hemorrhage. There was discussion on these topics and a great detailed questioning regarding endophthalmitis and methods for prevention and treatment. There was question regarding positive pressure ventilation in operation theatre.

Third viva was about ophthalmic surgery, two British examiners, there were slides regarding subretinal cyctic lesion seen on OCT, thydroid ophthalmopathy, and surgical management of it. Treatment of macular hole and some other questions regarding keratoplasty , LASIK, and LASEK, differences complications their management.

THE RESULT WAS ANOUNCED AND MY NAME WAS THERE ON THE LIST. MY CLINICAL EXAME WAS AT HAREMIRES HOSPITAL AT NORTH HAMPSHIRE ON 10 NOVEMBER AT 1430HRS.


CLINICAL EXAMINATION

There were 40 min in which we had to see 4-8 cases, the more u see the more is the benefit. There was British examiner, a nice and cooperative person. My first case was indirect ophtalmoscopy of a female patient, for the first time I was enforced to do the ophthalmoscopy on sitting patient as I normally in our setup do it on lying patients. Next there were macular hole, alternating exotropia, aphakia with PCR and lens matter in AC, mapdotfingerprint subepithelial dystrophy, viva on slit lamp, psudoexfoliation glaucoma, in the end there was another case regarding indirect ophthalmoscopy the patient had toxoplasmosis scars at the inferior retina near equator. Overall the exame was very tough but the examiner and patients were very cooperative and friendly.

The result was on website the next day. I called one of my friends and told him my examination number and asked whether it was there in passing list, he told me no its not there I was very depressed and shocked, I then asked the list of passing examination numbers, I was astonished to listen that the result was according to the personal ID numbers not on examination numbers, I hurriedly looked for my letter containing personal ID number & then I got this wonderful news that one of my life's biggest dream has become true. I was thankful to God for my success.
I wish very happy success for all those who intend to appear and if I am of any help for anybody please ask anything anytime I will be very happy to be of any help to anybody.
Thanx a lot.