Free PLAB 2 Ophthalmology stations
Ophthalmology PLAB 2 stations cover the red eye, visual loss and other eye complaints. They test focused history-taking, recognising sight-threatening red flags, and clear explanation and referral.
What PLAB 2 ophthalmology stations cover
Ophthalmology PLAB 2 stations cover the red eye, visual loss and other eye complaints. They test focused history-taking, recognising sight-threatening red flags, and clear explanation and referral.
Topics you can practise in these stations include:
- Painful red eye
- Painless red eye
- Blurred central vision
- Gradual blurring of vision
- Blurred vision and an optician's letter
- Sudden vision loss in one eye
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye
How to approach a ophthalmology station
Characterise the visual symptom and its onset, ask about pain and associated features, and identify the sight-threatening causes that need urgent referral.
The underlying structure is the same as any PLAB 2 station: greet and confirm identity, explore the patient's ideas, concerns and expectations early, take a focused history, screen for the red flags below, explain your thinking in plain English, and agree a shared plan with clear safety-netting. See the free PLAB 2 preparation guide for the full study plan.
Red flags to screen for in ophthalmology stations
Examiners reward candidates who actively screen for what must not be missed. In ophthalmology stations, the key red flags include:
- Sudden painless visual loss (retinal vessel occlusion)
- A painful red eye with visual loss (acute glaucoma, uveitis)
- Flashes, floaters or a curtain over the vision (retinal detachment)
- A chemical eye injury
- Visual loss with headache and scalp tenderness (giant cell arteritis)
Skills these stations test
The 7 ophthalmology stations break down by skill type as:
- History and management 4
- History red flags 2
- Counselling 1
All 7 free ophthalmology stations
Every station below is free. Click one to sit it as an eight-minute spoken consultation, then get your mark-scheme breakdown.
History and management 4
- Painful red eye - Mrs Sharon Quayle, 55 (acute angle closure glaucoma)
- Painless red eye - Mr Steven Radcliffe, 54
- Blurred central vision - Mrs Diane Stanfield, 82
- Gradual blurring of vision - Edith Tindall, 82
History red flags 2
- Sudden vision loss in one eye - Mrs Mary Tindall, 66
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye - Mrs Romilly Aldous, 74
Counselling 1
Practise other PLAB 2 specialties
- PLAB 2 Ethical / Communication stations (62)
- PLAB 2 Obstetrics & Gynaecology stations (52)
- PLAB 2 Paediatrics stations (42)
- PLAB 2 Neurology stations (34)
- PLAB 2 Psychiatry stations (31)
- PLAB 2 Cardiovascular stations (27)
- PLAB 2 Gastrointestinal stations (27)
- PLAB 2 Dermatology stations (25)
- PLAB 2 Endocrine stations (24)
- PLAB 2 Musculoskeletal stations (20)
- PLAB 2 Respiratory stations (20)
- PLAB 2 ENT stations (19)
- PLAB 2 Surgical stations (15)
- PLAB 2 Urology stations (15)
- PLAB 2 Medicine stations (14)
- PLAB 2 Genitourinary Medicine stations (12)
- PLAB 2 Infectious Diseases stations (11)
- PLAB 2 Haematology stations (9)
- PLAB 2 Palliative / Pain Medicine stations (6)
- PLAB 2 Breast Surgery stations (2)
Frequently asked questions
What PLAB 2 ophthalmology stations come up?
Plabity's 7 free PLAB 2 ophthalmology stations include presentations such as painful red eye, painless red eye, blurred central vision, gradual blurring of vision, blurred vision and an optician's letter, sudden vision loss in one eye, sudden loss of vision in one eye. Each runs as an eight-minute spoken consultation marked to the PLAB rubric.
Are these PLAB 2 ophthalmology stations free?
Yes. All 7 are free to practise. You sign up with an email address, with no card required.
How are the stations marked?
Each station is marked across the three PLAB domains: data gathering, clinical management and interpersonal skills. You get a breakdown of every criterion with quoted evidence from your own consultation, in seconds.
Practise ophthalmology stations free.
7 spoken ophthalmology cubicles, marked to the PLAB rubric. No card, no plan.
Start practising free