JCAHPO COA Exam Questions and
Answers (Graded A)
Ocularist - ANSWER-Measures and fits patients with artificial eyes
Orthoptist - ANSWER-Helps with diagnosis, management, and non-surgical treatment
of eye muscle imbalances
Optician - ANSWER-Dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses from prescriptions
supplied by others
Optometrist - ANSWER-Prescribes and/or fits eyeglasses and contact lenses and
screens for eye diseases as a non-physician professional
Ophthalmologist - ANSWER-Prevents, diagnoses, and medically and surgically treats
problems of the eye as a medical doctor
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant - ANSWER-Helps the doctor in a variety of clinical and
administrative tasks
Ethics - ANSWER-Moral principles and values that govern behavior
4 Primary structures included in the adnexa: - ANSWER--orbit
-extraocular muscles
-eyelids
-tear-producing and tear-draining lacrimal apparatus
Orbit - ANSWER-A pear-shaped bony cavity in the skull. Its function is to house the
globe, blood vessels, and the nerves
Medial rectus - ANSWER-Inward rotation
Superior rectus - ANSWER-Upward rotation
Inferior rectus - ANSWER-Downward rotation
Lateral rectus - ANSWER-Outward rotation
Inferior oblique - ANSWER-Upward and outward rotation
Superior Oblique - ANSWER-Downward and outward rotation
3 functions of eyelids - ANSWER--helps protect the eye from injury
,-exclude light
-aid in lubrication of ocular surface
2 principle functions of lacrimal apparatus - ANSWER--produces tears
-ducts drain the excess fluid from the front of the eyes to the nose
Crystalline Lens - ANSWER-Structure that provides the eye's focusing power
Accomodation - ANSWER-The process by which the curvature of the crystalline lens
changes in order to focus images of objects that are close to the eye; increases
focusing power
Zonules - ANSWER-Transparent fibers that connect the lens to the ciliary body
Layers of Tear Film; Outer Layer - ANSWER-Helps prevent evaporation of moisture
from the middle layer
Layers of Tear Film; Middle Layer - ANSWER-Tear film that supplies moisture, oxygen,
and nutrients to the cornea
Layers of Tear Film; Inner Layer - ANSWER-Promotes an even spread of the tear film
over the cornea
Corneal Epithelium - ANSWER-Serves as the first line of defense against infection and
injury
Descemet's Membrane - ANSWER-Contributes rigidity
Stroma - ANSWER-Contributes rigidity
Bowman's Membrane - ANSWER-Acts as an anchor for the epithelium
Corneal Endothelium - ANSWER-Maintains proper fluid balance
Sclera - ANSWER-Structural component of the globe that protects the intraocular
contents
Ciliary Process - ANSWER-Secretes aqueous humor that fills the anterior and posterior
chambers
Choroid - ANSWER-Supplies nourishing blood to the outer layers of the retina; lies
between the sclera and the retina in the uveal tract
Vitreous - ANSWER-Acts as a shock absorber and maintains the shape of the globe
Rods - ANSWER-Largely responsible for vision in reduced light and for peripheral vision
, Cones - ANSWER-Provide sharp central vision and perception of color
Symptom vs. Sign - ANSWER-Symptoms tend to be more subjective and/or personal
whereas signs are objective
Syndrome - ANSWER-Term given to a set of signs and symptoms that is characteristic
of a specific condition or disease
Protopsis/Exophthalmos - ANSWER-Protrusion of the eyeball caused by an increase in
orbital volume
Orbital Cellulitis - ANSWER-Swollen eyelids and red eyes
Strabismus - ANSWER-A misalignment of the eyes that may cause vision to be
disturbed; can be congenital or caused by nerve paralysis or a muscle losing elasticity
External Hordeolum - ANSWER-Abscess that is caused by infection of a glad
surrounding a lash follicle
Chalazion (Internal Hordeolum) - ANSWER-A non-tender solid bump under the eyelid;
chronic inflammation resulting from an obstructed meibomian gland in the eyelid;
associated with infection
Blepharitis - ANSWER-Red and encrusted lid margin
Ptosis - ANSWER-Droopy upper lid
Ectropion - ANSWER-Outward turning of lid margins
Entropion - ANSWER-Inward turning of lid margins
Trichiasis - ANSWER-Eyelashes rubbing against the eyeball, usually causing irritation
Lagophthalmos - ANSWER-Globe is not completely covered when lids are closed
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (K-sicca) - ANSWER-Inflammation of the cornea and
conjunctiva caused by dry eyes
Dacryocystitis - ANSWER-Condition resulting from inflammation of the lacrimal sac
Bacterial Conjunctivitis - ANSWER-Thick, mucopurulent discharge
Viral Conjunctivitis - ANSWER-Produces a watery discharge; everted eyelid appears to
be covered with hundreds of tiny bumps
Answers (Graded A)
Ocularist - ANSWER-Measures and fits patients with artificial eyes
Orthoptist - ANSWER-Helps with diagnosis, management, and non-surgical treatment
of eye muscle imbalances
Optician - ANSWER-Dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses from prescriptions
supplied by others
Optometrist - ANSWER-Prescribes and/or fits eyeglasses and contact lenses and
screens for eye diseases as a non-physician professional
Ophthalmologist - ANSWER-Prevents, diagnoses, and medically and surgically treats
problems of the eye as a medical doctor
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant - ANSWER-Helps the doctor in a variety of clinical and
administrative tasks
Ethics - ANSWER-Moral principles and values that govern behavior
4 Primary structures included in the adnexa: - ANSWER--orbit
-extraocular muscles
-eyelids
-tear-producing and tear-draining lacrimal apparatus
Orbit - ANSWER-A pear-shaped bony cavity in the skull. Its function is to house the
globe, blood vessels, and the nerves
Medial rectus - ANSWER-Inward rotation
Superior rectus - ANSWER-Upward rotation
Inferior rectus - ANSWER-Downward rotation
Lateral rectus - ANSWER-Outward rotation
Inferior oblique - ANSWER-Upward and outward rotation
Superior Oblique - ANSWER-Downward and outward rotation
3 functions of eyelids - ANSWER--helps protect the eye from injury
,-exclude light
-aid in lubrication of ocular surface
2 principle functions of lacrimal apparatus - ANSWER--produces tears
-ducts drain the excess fluid from the front of the eyes to the nose
Crystalline Lens - ANSWER-Structure that provides the eye's focusing power
Accomodation - ANSWER-The process by which the curvature of the crystalline lens
changes in order to focus images of objects that are close to the eye; increases
focusing power
Zonules - ANSWER-Transparent fibers that connect the lens to the ciliary body
Layers of Tear Film; Outer Layer - ANSWER-Helps prevent evaporation of moisture
from the middle layer
Layers of Tear Film; Middle Layer - ANSWER-Tear film that supplies moisture, oxygen,
and nutrients to the cornea
Layers of Tear Film; Inner Layer - ANSWER-Promotes an even spread of the tear film
over the cornea
Corneal Epithelium - ANSWER-Serves as the first line of defense against infection and
injury
Descemet's Membrane - ANSWER-Contributes rigidity
Stroma - ANSWER-Contributes rigidity
Bowman's Membrane - ANSWER-Acts as an anchor for the epithelium
Corneal Endothelium - ANSWER-Maintains proper fluid balance
Sclera - ANSWER-Structural component of the globe that protects the intraocular
contents
Ciliary Process - ANSWER-Secretes aqueous humor that fills the anterior and posterior
chambers
Choroid - ANSWER-Supplies nourishing blood to the outer layers of the retina; lies
between the sclera and the retina in the uveal tract
Vitreous - ANSWER-Acts as a shock absorber and maintains the shape of the globe
Rods - ANSWER-Largely responsible for vision in reduced light and for peripheral vision
, Cones - ANSWER-Provide sharp central vision and perception of color
Symptom vs. Sign - ANSWER-Symptoms tend to be more subjective and/or personal
whereas signs are objective
Syndrome - ANSWER-Term given to a set of signs and symptoms that is characteristic
of a specific condition or disease
Protopsis/Exophthalmos - ANSWER-Protrusion of the eyeball caused by an increase in
orbital volume
Orbital Cellulitis - ANSWER-Swollen eyelids and red eyes
Strabismus - ANSWER-A misalignment of the eyes that may cause vision to be
disturbed; can be congenital or caused by nerve paralysis or a muscle losing elasticity
External Hordeolum - ANSWER-Abscess that is caused by infection of a glad
surrounding a lash follicle
Chalazion (Internal Hordeolum) - ANSWER-A non-tender solid bump under the eyelid;
chronic inflammation resulting from an obstructed meibomian gland in the eyelid;
associated with infection
Blepharitis - ANSWER-Red and encrusted lid margin
Ptosis - ANSWER-Droopy upper lid
Ectropion - ANSWER-Outward turning of lid margins
Entropion - ANSWER-Inward turning of lid margins
Trichiasis - ANSWER-Eyelashes rubbing against the eyeball, usually causing irritation
Lagophthalmos - ANSWER-Globe is not completely covered when lids are closed
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (K-sicca) - ANSWER-Inflammation of the cornea and
conjunctiva caused by dry eyes
Dacryocystitis - ANSWER-Condition resulting from inflammation of the lacrimal sac
Bacterial Conjunctivitis - ANSWER-Thick, mucopurulent discharge
Viral Conjunctivitis - ANSWER-Produces a watery discharge; everted eyelid appears to
be covered with hundreds of tiny bumps
