05/12/2025 – Special senses

Question Easy:
A 25-year-old woman presents to the GP with itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose. She mentions that symptoms worsen during spring but she feels fine in winter. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🌸
A) Allergic rhinitis
B) Viral conjunctivitis
C) Bacterial conjunctivitis
D) Dry eye syndrome
E) Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Question Medium:
A 65-year-old man presents with a sudden onset of painless loss of vision in his right eye. Fundoscopic examination reveals a pale retina with a cherry-red spot at the fovea. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🧑‍⚕️
A) Central retinal vein occlusion
B) Retinal detachment
C) Central retinal artery occlusion
D) Age-related macular degeneration
E) Vitreous hemorrhage

Question Hard:
A 45-year-old man complains of progressive hearing loss in his left ear over several months, associated with a sensation of fullness and occasional tinnitus. Audiometry reveals a conductive hearing loss on the left. The Weber test lateralizes to the left ear and the Rinne test shows bone conduction greater than air conduction on the left. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🎧
A) Meniere’s disease
B) Vestibular schwannoma
C) Otosclerosis
D) Presbycusis
E) Acute otitis media

Explanations & Answers:

Question Easy Answer: A) Allergic rhinitis
Question Easy Explanation: Allergic rhinitis is characterized by itchy, watery eyes, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion, often seasonal due to pollen (seasonal allergic rhinitis). NICE guidelines recommend managing symptoms with antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids.

Question Medium Answer: C) Central retinal artery occlusion
Question Medium Explanation: The presentation of sudden, painless vision loss with a pale retina and cherry-red spot is indicative of central retinal artery occlusion, a medical emergency per NHS guidelines requiring immediate intervention to try and preserve vision.

Question Hard Answer: C) Otosclerosis
Question Hard Explanation: The symptoms and audiometric findings suggest otosclerosis, which causes progressive conductive hearing loss. The Rinne test indicates conductive loss while the Weber test lateralizing to the affected ear supports this diagnosis. NICE guidelines often discuss surgery or hearing aid solutions.

Medical fact of the day: Did you know that the human eye can distinguish approximately 10 million different colours? This ability is a testament to the complexity of the visual system and highlights the intricate nature of our special senses.

Quote of the day: “In every step of care, remember it’s not just the cure we seek but the connection we build. Healing happens in moments, not just in measures.”