GP Vivas · eye-presentations
The acute red eye — structured viva
Structured oral on the acute red eye: defending the delayed-antibiotics strategy with Cochrane evidence, the corneal abrasion patching myth debunked by RCT, the contact-lens keratitis urgency rule, chemical injury irrigation, and systematic assessment that catches the sight-threatening causes.
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Target exams
RACGP CCEFRACGP oralsMRCGP SCA
Prompt
The examiner opens: 'Every red eye gets antibiotic drops — that is safe practice.' The viva branches through conjunctivitis evidence, systematic assessment, sight-threatening emergencies, corneal abrasion management, and chemical injury.
Stem
A colleague prescribes chloramphenicol drops for every red eye 'to be safe'. You are asked to present a more evidence-based approach. [1]
References4ShowHide
- [1]Kaiser PK A comparison of pressure patching versus no patching for corneal abrasions due to trauma or foreign body removal. Corneal Abrasion Patching Study Group. Ophthalmology, 1995.PMID 9098299
- [2]Everitt HA, Little PS, Smith PW A randomised controlled trial of management strategies for acute infective conjunctivitis in general practice. BMJ, 2006.PMID 16847013
- [3]Sheikh A, Hurwitz B, van Schayck CP, McLean S, Nurmatov U Antibiotics versus placebo for acute bacterial conjunctivitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2012.PMID 22972049
- [4]Lewis CJ, Al-Mousawi A, Jha A, Allison KP Is it time for a change in the approach to chemical burns? The role of Diphoterine(®) in the management of cutaneous and ocular chemical injuries. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 2017.PMID 28330646