High-Yield Mnemonics + Exam Tricks
RED EYE DIFFERENTIAL (VERY COMMON TEST QUESTION)
Mnemonic: “CPUG”
C – Conjunctivitis
P – Periorbital cellulitis
U – Uveitis
G – Glaucoma
Exam Trick
Always ask yourself:
1️⃣ Is there vision loss?
2️⃣ Is there severe pain?
Dischar
Condition Vision Pain
ge
Conjunctivitis Normal Mild Yes
Modera
Uveitis Blurred No
te
Angle-closure Severe
Severe No
glaucoma loss
Corneal abrasion Blurred Severe Watery
From your uploaded differential table:
Conjunctivitis → discharge present
Uveitis → no discharge + small pupil
Angle-closure glaucoma → severe pain + dilated pupil
Table 7–1_The inflamed eye_ dif…
CONJUNCTIVITIS TYPES
Mnemonic: “WIP”
W – Watery → Viral
I – Itchy → Allergic
P – Purulent → Bacterial
Exam Tricks
Feature Viral Bacterial Allergic
Discharge Watery Purulent Watery
Key URI Eyes stuck
Severe itching
symptom symptoms shut
Antihistamine
Treatment Supportive Antibiotics
drops
, BLEPHARITIS
Mnemonic: “SCRUB”
S – Staph infection common
C – Crusting on lashes
R – Red eyelids
U – Use warm compresses
B – Baby shampoo lid scrubs
Exam Trick
If question says:
crusty lashes
chronic eyelid irritation
Answer = Blepharitis
Treatment Trick
Posterior blepharitis → oral doxycycline
HORDEOLUM vs CHALAZION
Mnemonic
Hordeolum = HURTS
H → Hurts
O → Obvious infection
R → Red
D → Drain if needed
Chalazion Mnemonic
“Chalazion = Calm lump”
painless
chronic
firm nodule
Exam Trick
Feature Hordeolum Chalazion
Pain YES NO
Cause Infection Inflammation
Treatme Antibiotic Warm
nt ointment compress
CORNEAL ABRASION
Mnemonic: “PAIN”
P – Photophobia
A – Abrasion visible with fluorescein