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
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