When presented with an image; the following steps are recommended as in the interpretation of CT scans:

• What type of image is it?  MRI scans (T1 or T2 weighted)

 
• Which plane the image is in?  axial, sagittal or coronal (see pictures below)

Axial scan

Saggital scan

Coronal scan

• Describe the image: In ophthalmology, most of the pathology will be focused on  the globe, orbit or the brain. If it were the viva, ask the examiner for some histories. 

• Examine the following strucutres in order and always compare the two sides for asymmetry(ies):

 
• globe

 
• extraocular muscle enlargement

 
• space occupying lesion in the orbit

 
• bony lesion

 
• brain lesion 

Click the following pictures for Questions and Answers.
(The experience from past candidates inidcates that the examiners expect you to be able to differentiate T1 from T2 weighted images. The most commonly encountered scan in the examination is periventricular plaques.)