This case highlights the importance of ophthalmic examination in diagnosing brain tumours in children. Such a large tumour located in the lateral ventricle may cause obstructive hydrocephalus, compression of brain tissue, seizures and loss of vision, and is potentially fatal.

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The comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination is one of 38 European medical specialty examinations. This review aims at disclosing the specific procedures and content of the EBOD examination. It is a descriptive study summarizing the present organization of the EBOD examination. It is the 3rd largest European postgraduate medical assessment after anaesthesiology and cardiology. The master language is English for the Part 1 written test (knowledge test with 52 modified type X multiple-choice questions) (in the past the written test was also available in French and German). Ophthalmology training of minimum 4 years in a full or associated European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) member state is a prerequisite. Problem-solving skills are tested in the Part 2 oral assessment, which is a viva of 4 subjects conducted in English with support for native language whenever feasible. The comprehensive EBOD examination is one of the leading examinations organized by UEMS European Boards or Specialist Sections from the point of number of examinees, item banking, and item contents.

SummaryThis study was undertaken to determine if the age related decrease in pupil size is attributable to altered sympathetic adrenoceptor responsiveness. Log dose response curves using the selective alpha! agonist phenylephrine and antagonist thymoxamine showed that there is no difference in alpha! adrenoceptor sensitivity in the elderly and the young. Therefore age related miosis is not caused by an alteration in alpha! receptors with age. SubjectsSixty healthy subjects were included in the study.Only those with blue-grey irides were included as the mydriatic response to sympathomimetic amines is inversely proportional to the degree of pigmenta tion of the iris,6 and the elimination of green, hazel or brown eyes served to reduce variability in response. Subjects were sub-divided into two groups. Group A were aged between 20 and 35 years (mean age of 23 years) and group B were aged between 65 and 90 years (mean age of 72 years).Each subject had a complete medical history taken and had a full physical examination. Ophthalmo logical assessment included pupillary reflexes, cor rected visual acuity, slit-lamp and fundal examination. Excluded from the study were mon ocular subjects and those with a corrected visual acuity of less than 6/12, subjects with ocular path ology or history of previous ophthalmic surgery.Also excluded were those with systemic disease and those on medication likely to affect the autonomic nervous system.Smoking and caffeine-containing beverages were not permitted on the day of the study. Alcohol was prohibited during the twelve-hour period preced ing and throughout the study.

The aim of this study was to assess inner retinal function in patients with Best's disease using the pattern ERG (PERG). Nine patients with Best's disease, who had good visual acuity, were studied. Five of the nine had abnormal PERGs. All five had some reduction in central visual acuity. We believe that the abnormal PERGs in these patients represents photoreceptor cell loss which is occurring at an early stage in Best's disease.