THE OPHTHALMOLOGY EXAMINATIONS REVIEW

Many new treatments and diagnostic procedures in ophthalmology have been refined or newly developed during the past four years, a new edition reflecting these changes is most timely.

The scope and aim of the book will be consistent with the first edition, which provides a broad review of the specialist ophthalmology examinations for final year ophthalmology residents and trainees. The book deals primarily with key facts and topics that are important from the examination perspective. Only information and facts that are considered relevant and critical to the exams are covered, with topics that may be of scientific interest, but are not commonly tested in exams, specifically left out. Time-challenged readers will also benefit from the knowledge acquired from various other sources or textbooks that are now organized and synthesized in this book. While not meant to replace the standard textbooks, enough information is contained within the book to serve as the main revision text nearer the exams.

The style and format of this book is intentionally didactic, with questions and short answers. The answer includes a “model opening statement,” followed first by a classification system to aid organization of facts, and then the core explanation in concise short notes. “Exam Tips” are inserted to provide an insight into techniques of answering different types of questions and when appropriate, a “Clinical Approach” section is also included.

In the new edition, topics such as new understanding of disease mechanisms (e.g., genetics of eye diseases), new investigations (e.g., OCT), and novel procedures and treatment (e.g., the use of antivascular endothelial growth factors, new refractive surgical techniques) are covered.

This book will be a valuable guide to the final year ophthalmology residents and trainees taking the specialist ophthalmology examinations, particularly for exams with a strong oral or viva component. Although primarily aimed at candidates attempting the British postgraduate exams (FRCS, FRANZCO, MRCS, MRCOphth and FRCOphth), it is also useful for other examination systems (e.g., the American Boards). Many junior residents, in fact, find the information handy during grand rounds.


Contents:
Cataract and Cataract Surgery
Glaucoma and Glaucoma Surgery
Corneal and External Eye Diseases
Surgical Retina
Medical Retina
Neuroophthalmology
Oculoplastic and Orbital Diseases
Uveitis, Systemic Diseases and Tumors
Squints and Pediatric Eye Diseases
Miscellaneous Examination Problems

Readership: Final year ophthalmology residents and trainees for both British postgraduate exams and American Boards exams; and junior residents.

Reviews of the First Edition
“It is an excellent review for the ophthalmologist studying for the board examinations. It is well organized, simple and direct … and should be used by clinicians in training long before the eleventh hour.”

Archives of Ophthalmology

“… it is ideally suited for any candidate taking basic qualifying tests in ophthalmology anywhere in the English speaking world ... It is quite a remarkable and comprehensive fund of information and must surely contain every question ever put by any examiner in an oral/viva examination and also covers all the published syllabuses both for basic sciences and clinical components of our examinations … Trainees, therefore, might consider the use of this book as a reasonable guarantee for success in the examinations mentioned provided preliminary reading has been completed. It could also be of assistance to harassed examiners in drawing up suitable lists of topics for viva examinations and, in addition, assist them in the difficult task of setting and checking MCQ papers.”
The Surgeon

“Unique in its format, this review is both intentionally didactic and repetitive and focuses on most commonly addressed examination subjects … Each topic is introduced in question format and the key learning points then summarized succinctly. This style of presentation is unique and particularly useful to those preparing for oral examinations, as it clearly breaks down general questions for easy and organized responses. Additionally, the margins contain several examination tips, which may be useful in studying for written and particularly oral examinations … Overall, the format and organization of this review book sets it apart from others. Despite potential differences between the American and British training and examinations, this review may be useful as an adjunctive study guide in preparation for the American boards or the OKAP.”
American Journal of Ophthalmology

“Granted this book is addressed primarily to those who take the British style examinations but it could be easily used by trainees in countries where exams are slightly different … Overall, Dr Wong includes an enormous amount of information in just over 400 pages, and has done so in an attractive way. The book is easy to read with outline forms and lots of highlighted information in box or table presentations.”
British Journal of Ophthalmology