Acute or sudden vision loss is due to one of the following causes: Opacification of normally transparent structures anterior to retina Retinal abnormalities Abnormalities of optic nerve and visual pathway Systematic history and ocular examination is necessary. Step 1: Unilateral or Bilateral Sudden vision loss ? Monocular loss of vision:…
Author: Epomedicine
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Acute Red Eye : Simplified Approach
Red eye reflects hyperemia or engorgement of superficial visible conjunctival, episcleral or ciliary vessels. A) DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES FOR ACUTE RED EYE 1. Painless red eye: a) Diffuse redness: Lids normal: Conjunctivitis Lids abnormal: Blepharitis Ectropion Trichiasis Eyelid lesion b) Localized redness: Pterygium Corneal foreign body Ocular trauma Subconjunctival hemorrhage Episcleritis
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
History and Examination in Ophthalmology
A) HISTORY Besides chief complaints, other portion of history is similar to the one you prepare in internal medicine. 1. Description of symptom (SOCRATES): S – Site (Unilateral or Bilateral) O- Onset C – Character R – Radiation (if applicable) A – Aggravating and relieving factors T – Timing and…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Simplified Approach to Parotid Enlargement
Diagnosis and management of a case of parotid enlargement requires systematic approach. Here, I have tried to present a simplified approach to parotid enlargement. A) DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES OF PAROTID ENLARGEMENT: 1. Infectious: Child: Mumps, Coxsackie Adult: S.aureus 2. Non-infectious benign: Epithelial: Pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumor, Oncocytoma, Monomorphic adenoma Non-epithelial: Lymph…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Branchial Apparatus (Pharyngeal arches and pouches) : Mnemonics
Synonym: Pharyngeal apparatus Mnemonic: CAP covers from out to in Pharyngeal arches are equivalent of gill arches in fish that develop in a cranio-caudal sequence. Derivatives of Pharyngeal or Branchial Apparatus Pharyngeal cleft Pharyngeal arch Pharyngeal pouch Ectoderm Mesoderm Neural crest Cranial Nerves Arteries Endoderm 1st External Auditory Meatus…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Understanding and Interpreting a Tympanogram
Relevant terms and definitions: 1. Tympanogram: plots compliance changes of the Tympanic Membrane (TM) versus air pressure in the EAC Y-axis shows pressure gradient and X-axis shows compliance change 2. Peak: point on the tympanogram that represents the point of maximum compliance, in which pressure of the external ear canal equals the pressure of the…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Pure Tone Audiogram and Interpretation
Relevant terms and definitions: 1. Pure tone: A single frequency sound 2. Audiometer: Equipment used to generate pure tones of varying frequency and loudness and control their presentation 3. Air conduction (AC) threshold: lowest level dB HL (hearing threshold) at which the subject perceives 50% of pure tones introduced via earphones or speakers…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Acute Rhinosinusitis (ARS) : Clinical Guidelines
Definition: Symptomatic inflammation of the lining mucosa of nose and paranasal sinuses. Uncomplicated rhinosinusitis is defined as rhinosinusitis without clinically evident extension of inflammation outside the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity at the time of diagnosis (eg, no neurologic, ophthalmologic, or soft tissue involvement). Types: Based on duration Acute Rhinosinusitis (ARS):…