Maine Optometrist Exam Questions and
Answers Plus Rationales
1. What is the primary function of the cornea?
A. To produce aqueous humor
B. To refract light onto the retina
C. To control eye movements
D. To supply nutrients to the lens
The cornea is the primary refractive surface of the eye, bending
light to focus it on the retina.
2. Which structure in the eye is responsible for aqueous humor
drainage?
A. Retina
B. Lens
C. Trabecular meshwork
D. Ciliary body
The trabecular meshwork drains aqueous humor from the anterior
chamber into Schlemm’s canal.
3. What is the most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis in
adults?
A. Viral infection
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Allergens
D. Fungal infection
, Staphylococcus aureus is the leading bacterial pathogen causing
conjunctivitis in adults.
4. Which visual field defect is most commonly associated with
glaucoma?
A. Central scotoma
B. Peripheral vision loss
C. Homonymous hemianopia
D. Altitudinal defect
Glaucoma primarily affects peripheral vision first due to optic
nerve damage.
5. What is the normal intraocular pressure range in mmHg?
A. 5–10
B. 11–20
C. 10–21
D. 20–30
Normal IOP ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg in healthy adults.
6. Which condition is characterized by opacification of the lens?
A. Glaucoma
B. Macular degeneration
C. Retinitis pigmentosa
D. Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens, leading to
decreased vision.
7. What is the standard treatment for bacterial keratitis?
A. Artificial tears
B. Topical antibiotics
C. Steroid drops
, D. Oral antivirals
Topical antibiotics are required to treat bacterial infections of the
cornea.
8. Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupillary constriction?
A. CN II
B. CN IV
C. CN III
D. CN VI
The oculomotor nerve (CN III) controls the sphincter pupillae
muscle for constriction.
9. In slit-lamp examination, what does a positive Seidel test indicate?
A. Glaucoma
B. Corneal perforation or leak
C. Retinal detachment
D. Cataract
A positive Seidel test shows aqueous humor leaking from the
anterior chamber.
10. Which lens prescription corrects myopia?
A. +2.00 D
B. -2.00 D
C. Concave lens
D. Convex lens
Myopia (nearsightedness) is corrected with concave (minus) lenses
to diverge light.
11. What is the hallmark sign of age-related macular
degeneration?
A. Peripheral vision loss
, B. Central vision loss
C. Night blindness
D. Eye pain
AMD affects the macula, leading to progressive central vision
deterioration.
12. Which test measures corneal curvature?
A. Tonometry
B. Keratometry
C. Pachymetry
D. Perimetry
Keratometry evaluates corneal curvature, essential for fitting
contact lenses.
13. Which systemic disease is associated with proliferative
retinopathy?
A. Hypertension
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Asthma
Diabetic retinopathy leads to neovascularization, characteristic of
proliferative stages.
14. Which eye movement is controlled by the lateral rectus
muscle?
A. Elevation
B. Depression
C. Abduction
D. Adduction
Answers Plus Rationales
1. What is the primary function of the cornea?
A. To produce aqueous humor
B. To refract light onto the retina
C. To control eye movements
D. To supply nutrients to the lens
The cornea is the primary refractive surface of the eye, bending
light to focus it on the retina.
2. Which structure in the eye is responsible for aqueous humor
drainage?
A. Retina
B. Lens
C. Trabecular meshwork
D. Ciliary body
The trabecular meshwork drains aqueous humor from the anterior
chamber into Schlemm’s canal.
3. What is the most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis in
adults?
A. Viral infection
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Allergens
D. Fungal infection
, Staphylococcus aureus is the leading bacterial pathogen causing
conjunctivitis in adults.
4. Which visual field defect is most commonly associated with
glaucoma?
A. Central scotoma
B. Peripheral vision loss
C. Homonymous hemianopia
D. Altitudinal defect
Glaucoma primarily affects peripheral vision first due to optic
nerve damage.
5. What is the normal intraocular pressure range in mmHg?
A. 5–10
B. 11–20
C. 10–21
D. 20–30
Normal IOP ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg in healthy adults.
6. Which condition is characterized by opacification of the lens?
A. Glaucoma
B. Macular degeneration
C. Retinitis pigmentosa
D. Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens, leading to
decreased vision.
7. What is the standard treatment for bacterial keratitis?
A. Artificial tears
B. Topical antibiotics
C. Steroid drops
, D. Oral antivirals
Topical antibiotics are required to treat bacterial infections of the
cornea.
8. Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupillary constriction?
A. CN II
B. CN IV
C. CN III
D. CN VI
The oculomotor nerve (CN III) controls the sphincter pupillae
muscle for constriction.
9. In slit-lamp examination, what does a positive Seidel test indicate?
A. Glaucoma
B. Corneal perforation or leak
C. Retinal detachment
D. Cataract
A positive Seidel test shows aqueous humor leaking from the
anterior chamber.
10. Which lens prescription corrects myopia?
A. +2.00 D
B. -2.00 D
C. Concave lens
D. Convex lens
Myopia (nearsightedness) is corrected with concave (minus) lenses
to diverge light.
11. What is the hallmark sign of age-related macular
degeneration?
A. Peripheral vision loss
, B. Central vision loss
C. Night blindness
D. Eye pain
AMD affects the macula, leading to progressive central vision
deterioration.
12. Which test measures corneal curvature?
A. Tonometry
B. Keratometry
C. Pachymetry
D. Perimetry
Keratometry evaluates corneal curvature, essential for fitting
contact lenses.
13. Which systemic disease is associated with proliferative
retinopathy?
A. Hypertension
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Asthma
Diabetic retinopathy leads to neovascularization, characteristic of
proliferative stages.
14. Which eye movement is controlled by the lateral rectus
muscle?
A. Elevation
B. Depression
C. Abduction
D. Adduction
