COA STUDY GUIDE SUMMARY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (100%VERIFIED ANSWERS) 2024.
Name the nine components of the ophthalmic history. - answer Chief complaint, present illness, past ocular
history, ocular medications, general medical and surgical history, systemic medications, allergies, social
history, and family history.
Why is it important to specifically ask a patient about the medications they are taking? - answer Because
certain medications may affect the eyes.
What is the proper response to a patient's request from the ophthalmic technician for medical advice or a
diagnosis? - answer Refer the patient to the ophthalmologist
What is the term used for the reason for the patient's visit? - answer Chief complaint
What elements are important in social history taking? - answer Smoking, alcohol, and drug use
Prior use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents is part of a patient's ________. - answer Past ocular history
Pertinent family history of a patient should include which relatives? - answer Parents, grandparents, and
genetic siblings
A patient describing an experience of getting hives after taking sulfa drugs is providing information about
__________. - answer An allergic reaction
What is the term for the spasmodic, rhythmic dilating, and contracting pupillary movements during pupil
function testing? - answer Hippus
What is the name of the test used for detecting a relative afferent pupillary defect? - answer Swinging
flashlight test
Which muscle of the iris constricts in bright light? - answer Sphincter
What is pupil dilation termed? - answer Mydriasis
What is the term used when there is a difference in pupil size? - answer Anisocoria
What is pupillometry? - answer The measurement of pupillary diameters.
What is the name of the reflexive reaction that occurs when a light is directed into one pupil and the pupil of
the opposite eye simultaneously reacts - answer Consensual pupillary reaction
Calibration of the applanation tonometer should be checked approximately every _____ months. - answer Two
(or sooner with regular use)
When cleaning the goniolens, what is uses to rinse off the methycellulose? - answer Warm running water
When replacing a light bulb _____ can diminish its effectiveness and life. - answer Oil from fingers
Diagnostic lenses that contact the eye can be sterilized using? - answer Ethylene Oxide gas
How should the removable glass slides inside the American Optical acuity projector be cleaned? - answer Wipe
,with clean, soft lint-free towel or photographic lens paper
If dust accumulates on the mirror of the slit lamp, the technician may clean it by using what cleaning
methods? - answer A lint-free cloth, a lens brush, or a blast of air
Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser? - answer A qualified service technician.
Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an ophthalmometer/keratometer? - answer Three test
balls made of steel also called "Lensco Meter"
What should be used to clean the accessible lenses of a phoropter? - answer Photographic lens cleaner and
lens tissue
What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate visual acuity projectors? - answer 20/200
What is the name of the instrument used to neutralize lenses? - answer Lensometer (Lensmeter)
When recording prism in a spectacle Rx, what does the abbreviation BO stand for? - answer Base out
What is determined by focusing the thin lines in a manual lensometer? - answer The sphere of the spectacle
Rx is determined by the thin lines.
What is the first step in performing lensometry? - answer Focus the eyepiece.
If you cannot center the thick and thin lines in the lensometer, the lens has _______. - answer Ground-in
prism.
Each black ring seen in the lensometer eyepiece reticle measures how much prism? - answer 1 diopter for each
ring
When performing lensometry, what is indicated if both thin and wide lines are in focus at the same time? -
answer The lens is spherical.
What is the technique used to measure the radius of curvature of the anterior corneal surface? - answer A-Scan
Keratometry Length Measurements
Keratometry is performed with a device called a ______. - answer Keratometer or ophthalmometer
Give three examples in which a keratometry measurement would be useful. - answer Contact lens fitting,
refractive surgery, intra ocular lens calculations, keratoconus
Keratometry is measured in _______. - answer Diopters
An unfocused eyepiece can lead to an error of _______. - answer 1 diopter in the K reading
, How many meridians are measured in keratometry? - answer 2 meridians (usually 90 degrees apart)
The average K reading is _____. - answer 43 to 44 diopters
Keratometry measures the _______ of the anterior curvature of the cornea. - answer Central 3.3 mm
The diffusion of oxygen through a contact lens material is referred to as _______. - answer DK value
True or false: The application and evaluation of diagnostic lens on the eye is the best way to fit a contact lens. -
answer True
Name the instrument used to determine the posterior surface radius of curvature of the rigid contact lens? -
answer Radiuscope and or Contacto Gauge
Name three reasons to dispense a therapeutic bandage contact lens. - answer To protect cornea from eyelids
and eyelashes, to promote corneal healing, to provide comfort, to stop wound leaks, to improve vision, or for
drug delivery.
Name two measurements required to fit a contact lens. - answer Refraction and K-reading (keratometry)
Overwear of contact lenses may result in insufficient oxygen to the cornea called _______. - answer Hypoxia
Ophthalmia
What are Ethics? - answer Moral Principles and values that govern individual behavior
What must ophthalmic medical assistants abide by? - answer The laws of the state in which their employer
practices and under the service of a licensed ophthalmologist
Attempting to work independently of an ophthalmologist is considered _______. - answer Practicing medicine
without a license
What should an ophthalmic practice have in place to meet legal compliance? - answer A compliance officer,
policies and procedures
What is HIPAA? - answer Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What does HIPAA protect? - answer The dissemination of specific patient information
What is coding? - answer The application of numerical designations for medical diagnosis, procedures, and
services
What is the assessment of the use of services by a practice institution, clinic, or individual physician? - answer
Utilization review
Complete the statement: "If it isn't documented, _____." - answer It didn't happen
What is ICD - 9 - CM? - answer International Classification of diseases, ninth revision, clinical modification
What important process is documented when the physician or physician delegate educates the patient on the
risks, benefits, and alternatives of a surgical procedure and asks for the patient's understanding and
participation in the decision making process? - answer Informed consent
As an ophthalmic assistant, you will record your findings in what legal document? - answer The patient's
medical record
How should an ophthalmic assistant treat all patients? - answer With dignity and respect
ANSWERS (100%VERIFIED ANSWERS) 2024.
Name the nine components of the ophthalmic history. - answer Chief complaint, present illness, past ocular
history, ocular medications, general medical and surgical history, systemic medications, allergies, social
history, and family history.
Why is it important to specifically ask a patient about the medications they are taking? - answer Because
certain medications may affect the eyes.
What is the proper response to a patient's request from the ophthalmic technician for medical advice or a
diagnosis? - answer Refer the patient to the ophthalmologist
What is the term used for the reason for the patient's visit? - answer Chief complaint
What elements are important in social history taking? - answer Smoking, alcohol, and drug use
Prior use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents is part of a patient's ________. - answer Past ocular history
Pertinent family history of a patient should include which relatives? - answer Parents, grandparents, and
genetic siblings
A patient describing an experience of getting hives after taking sulfa drugs is providing information about
__________. - answer An allergic reaction
What is the term for the spasmodic, rhythmic dilating, and contracting pupillary movements during pupil
function testing? - answer Hippus
What is the name of the test used for detecting a relative afferent pupillary defect? - answer Swinging
flashlight test
Which muscle of the iris constricts in bright light? - answer Sphincter
What is pupil dilation termed? - answer Mydriasis
What is the term used when there is a difference in pupil size? - answer Anisocoria
What is pupillometry? - answer The measurement of pupillary diameters.
What is the name of the reflexive reaction that occurs when a light is directed into one pupil and the pupil of
the opposite eye simultaneously reacts - answer Consensual pupillary reaction
Calibration of the applanation tonometer should be checked approximately every _____ months. - answer Two
(or sooner with regular use)
When cleaning the goniolens, what is uses to rinse off the methycellulose? - answer Warm running water
When replacing a light bulb _____ can diminish its effectiveness and life. - answer Oil from fingers
Diagnostic lenses that contact the eye can be sterilized using? - answer Ethylene Oxide gas
How should the removable glass slides inside the American Optical acuity projector be cleaned? - answer Wipe
,with clean, soft lint-free towel or photographic lens paper
If dust accumulates on the mirror of the slit lamp, the technician may clean it by using what cleaning
methods? - answer A lint-free cloth, a lens brush, or a blast of air
Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser? - answer A qualified service technician.
Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an ophthalmometer/keratometer? - answer Three test
balls made of steel also called "Lensco Meter"
What should be used to clean the accessible lenses of a phoropter? - answer Photographic lens cleaner and
lens tissue
What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate visual acuity projectors? - answer 20/200
What is the name of the instrument used to neutralize lenses? - answer Lensometer (Lensmeter)
When recording prism in a spectacle Rx, what does the abbreviation BO stand for? - answer Base out
What is determined by focusing the thin lines in a manual lensometer? - answer The sphere of the spectacle
Rx is determined by the thin lines.
What is the first step in performing lensometry? - answer Focus the eyepiece.
If you cannot center the thick and thin lines in the lensometer, the lens has _______. - answer Ground-in
prism.
Each black ring seen in the lensometer eyepiece reticle measures how much prism? - answer 1 diopter for each
ring
When performing lensometry, what is indicated if both thin and wide lines are in focus at the same time? -
answer The lens is spherical.
What is the technique used to measure the radius of curvature of the anterior corneal surface? - answer A-Scan
Keratometry Length Measurements
Keratometry is performed with a device called a ______. - answer Keratometer or ophthalmometer
Give three examples in which a keratometry measurement would be useful. - answer Contact lens fitting,
refractive surgery, intra ocular lens calculations, keratoconus
Keratometry is measured in _______. - answer Diopters
An unfocused eyepiece can lead to an error of _______. - answer 1 diopter in the K reading
, How many meridians are measured in keratometry? - answer 2 meridians (usually 90 degrees apart)
The average K reading is _____. - answer 43 to 44 diopters
Keratometry measures the _______ of the anterior curvature of the cornea. - answer Central 3.3 mm
The diffusion of oxygen through a contact lens material is referred to as _______. - answer DK value
True or false: The application and evaluation of diagnostic lens on the eye is the best way to fit a contact lens. -
answer True
Name the instrument used to determine the posterior surface radius of curvature of the rigid contact lens? -
answer Radiuscope and or Contacto Gauge
Name three reasons to dispense a therapeutic bandage contact lens. - answer To protect cornea from eyelids
and eyelashes, to promote corneal healing, to provide comfort, to stop wound leaks, to improve vision, or for
drug delivery.
Name two measurements required to fit a contact lens. - answer Refraction and K-reading (keratometry)
Overwear of contact lenses may result in insufficient oxygen to the cornea called _______. - answer Hypoxia
Ophthalmia
What are Ethics? - answer Moral Principles and values that govern individual behavior
What must ophthalmic medical assistants abide by? - answer The laws of the state in which their employer
practices and under the service of a licensed ophthalmologist
Attempting to work independently of an ophthalmologist is considered _______. - answer Practicing medicine
without a license
What should an ophthalmic practice have in place to meet legal compliance? - answer A compliance officer,
policies and procedures
What is HIPAA? - answer Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What does HIPAA protect? - answer The dissemination of specific patient information
What is coding? - answer The application of numerical designations for medical diagnosis, procedures, and
services
What is the assessment of the use of services by a practice institution, clinic, or individual physician? - answer
Utilization review
Complete the statement: "If it isn't documented, _____." - answer It didn't happen
What is ICD - 9 - CM? - answer International Classification of diseases, ninth revision, clinical modification
What important process is documented when the physician or physician delegate educates the patient on the
risks, benefits, and alternatives of a surgical procedure and asks for the patient's understanding and
participation in the decision making process? - answer Informed consent
As an ophthalmic assistant, you will record your findings in what legal document? - answer The patient's
medical record
How should an ophthalmic assistant treat all patients? - answer With dignity and respect
