Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan MBBS, DNB (Gold medallist), has completed MBBS from Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata. He has done DNB Ophthalmology from Aravind Eye Hospital and postgraduate institute, Tirunelveli, and worked as a Medical officer at Aravind Eye Hospital. He has received Dr. G. Venkataswamy Gold Medal for securing the highest mark in the DNB examination in June 2018 session. He got the distinction in ICO Basic science and Clinical science examination. He was a finalist in the Erudio quiz twice. He visited the National Institute of Ophthalmology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, as a guest faculty in Community Ophthalmology. He has presented many papers and posters so far in national conferences. He is a life member of the All India Ophthalmological Society and Tamil Nadu ophthalmic association. He has a keen interest in doing research in Ocular oncology and Ocular trauma. Dr. Arkaprava was kind enough to talk to us and share his experience during his post-graduation.

eOphtha: Congratulations Dr. Arkaprava !! Tell us how did you prepare for your examination?

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: First of all, I want to thank my DNB Institute, Aravind Eye Hospital, Tirunelveli.

I think after the first few days of relaxation, and acquaintance with my institute, I started studying. But the most important consideration was what to read and how to read. I used to study for 2- 3 hrs/day after coming back from OPD. I have summarised my preparation strategy from the beginning.

First 6- 7 months for Post DO/ 1 year for primary DNB

1. Read ‘ocular symptomatology’ chapter from Parsons’ Disease of the Eye
2. Read Kanski’s clinical ophthalmology daily – 5 pages
3. Anatomy by Dr.A K Khurana – Tried to finish one topic in 2-3 weeks
4. Optic Refraction by Dr.A K Khurana- Finish 1 chapter in 2-3 weeks
5. Read the topic of the next day’s morning class- as much as possible
6. Read the same topic after class – go through class note once
7. Maintain a diary and write whatever cases you have seen in OPD/OT- Try to read at least few points about those

Next 6 -7 months for Post DO/ 1 year for Primary DNB

1. Read Clinical Optics by Elkington and Basic Science by Ferris for ICO exams (2 months at least)

2. Have a look at DNB question paper subject wise from eOphtha and keep a record of where you have read a topic from

3. Searches answer from DOS articles (subject-wise), Kanski & Aravind FAQ. If you don’t find the answer from the above then look into Dr. Zia Chaudhury book, Eyewiki & Dr. L C Dutta book

4. Write those answers which are not given properly in one book

5. In Speciality posting- Read AAO BCSC of the same specialty

Next 6 months( For all)

1. Revise the above things
2. Give mock examination monthly in one sub-specialty (i.e Retina in 1 month, Paeds ophthal & neuro ophthal in next month)
3. Read MCQ from Kenneth
4. Prepare for ICO clinical science examination
5. Read recent advancement from DOS article & HV Neema book

Last 2 months(For all)

1. Revision as much as possible
2. Practice diagram, make flow charts mostly

After theory examination

1. Read Aravind FAQ thoroughly
2. Read practical ophthalmology book by Dr. Namrata Sharma
3. Present all long cases in front of teachers

eOphtha: Is making notes helpful?

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: Everyone has their own style. But I think making notes is very useful, at least those answers which are not given in one book or article. Your notes should be with flow charts and diagram

eOphtha: How to manage thesis and study in the final year

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan:

1. Start thesis work from the very beginning, after a protocol has been sent to NBE

2. Allot 30 mins daily (6- 6:30 pm) after OPD, for thesis and research work - Collect case sheets, data from MRD section

3. Consult to Statistician at the beginning of protocol writing and discuss regularly with her

4. Start filling the master chart from the beginning & complete master chart at least 4 months before the thesis submission date

5. Complete whole thesis 2 months before and give a copy to your guide, co-guide, seniors for proofreading

eOphtha: Tell us about the importance of everyday clinic, discussion with teacher & colleagues

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: I think, the most important way to learn is, be in OPD, OT for maximum time. We had 7:15 am to 6 pm duty hours in Aravind Eye Hospital, Tirunelveli. Read the cases whichever you have seen in OPD itself (Not possible in busy OPD), at least in the evening of the same day. Discuss with your teachers, colleagues, seniors and teach your juniors, colleagues as much as possible

eOphtha: What all textbooks you have studied during post-graduation.

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan:

TEXTBOOK

1. Kanski’s Clinical Ophthalmology

2. AAO BCSC, MCQs from the last few pages

3. DOS Times

4. Pediatric ophthalmology - Khurana( AC/A ratio, pattern strabismus, essential infantile esotropia- given nicely)

5.Neuro-ophthalmology - Bajandas, Aravind’s neuro-ophthalmology (Optic atrophy, chiasmal, pre & post chiasmal lesion), Manual of neuro-ophthalmology by Dr. Amar Agarwal( Diagram and flow charts)

6. Orbit- Collins ( Ptosis surgery and flow charts)

7. Glaucoma- Shields (congenital glaucoma)

8. Cornea- Zia Chaudhury Book

9. Investigations – from Dr. Neema

FOR MCQ

1. Review questions in ophthalmology-Kenneth C Chen
2. Review manual of ophthalmology- Lamkin
3. Basic science – Jhon Ferris
4. Refraction- Elkington

FOR PRACTICAL

1. Aravind FAQ (Read the whole book, Must read- Refraction & case sheet writing)
2. Practical ophthalmology book by Dr. Namrata Sharma
3. Kanski picture atlas ( 200 questions with photographs, matching questions)
   

eOphtha: How important is online resources in these days

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: I used to visit the following websites regularly

1. www.eophtha.com

2. AAO ONE NETWORK

3. Wills Eye Hospital- knowledge portal

4. www.eyetube.net

5. mrcophth by Dr. NN Chua

6. eyewiki.aao.org

7. www.medscape.com

8. www.eyeguru.org

9. https://cme.healio.com

eOphtha: Your strategy for the revision during the examination. How many revisions did you do?

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: I had revised twice before the final exam (in last 2 months)

Make a subspecialty wise question bank and write down the page number of books/notebook against each question. Make the folders subject-wise and put all Dos times Xerox, loose notes separately (i.e. all retina Xerox, notes in one folder)

eOphtha: How should one proceed to prepare for the DNB ophthalmology examination? Tips for postgraduate students

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: Before Theory exam

• Know the Last 10 years questions, makes a subject-wise list
• Make notes, at least for those questions, the answer is not given in one book properly
• Write page number, Year& month of DOS article against each question in the question bank
• Make everything very concise whatever you read and revise at least twice in the last 2 months
• Discuss among friends, senior, teachers
• Try to do a few relevant MCQs after reading each topic
• Appear for FAT exam seriously
• Try to participate in Quiz competition as many as possible and appear for ICO exams
• In the exam hall

Take a plastic board, pen, pencil, color pencil, bangle (to make a quick circle)

Time management in the exam:

• 10 question in 180 minutes ( Finish each question in 15 min. Keep 30 min for revision)
• Start from question no.1 & answer accordingly( don’t start with question number
• If you are not confident enough with 1^st question, then keep space for 1^st question (you have to decide how much space you should left approximately)
• Make as many as diagram with color-coding, flow chart, and ray diagram for refraction.

Before the practical exam

1. Make a case proforma for commonly asked cases in each specialty

2. Read Aravind FAQ and Dr.Namrata Sharma practical book thoroughly before the practical exam

3. Present all long cases in front of teachers, colleagues as many times as possible

4. Arrange mock viva examination by a senior mentor

5. Practice refraction in OPD (morning) regularly

6. Keep Apron, pencil torch, Colour pencil, IO, 90 D Lens, Tuning fork, one piece of cotton, wooden spatula with you

7. Keep calm, be confident, take breakfast properly and keep 2-3 chocolate & water with you

IN practical exam hall

• 4 long cases- you will get 20-25 mins for each case and 1 Refraction case.
• 2 long cases in one table, refraction case in one table- so, 3 table in 1^st half.
• 2 table in 2^nd half- 1^st- Instrument, drugs, equipments etc. 2^nd- investigations
  • First, write all the subheadings under the heading of history and clinical examination
  • At least write important salient points in history and examination(i.e. history of laser & intravitreal injection in diabetic retinopathy, H/O night blindness in RP, H/O PI done in glaucoma patients)
  • And lastly Guys, just have patience, trust yourself and give your best

eOphtha: How did your parents, family, and friends contribute to your success?

Dr. Arkaprava Pradhan: My parents, wife, and brother are standing beside me in my every walk of life. They gave me the belief that I could achieve my goals. Without them, I would not have achieved this.