CERTIFIED OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANT EXAM (COA)
CERTIFIED OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANT EXAM (COA) TEST 2
LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATES 2026 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+
Name the nine components of the ophthalmic history. - ANSWERS-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? -
ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-Refer the patient to the ophthalmologist
What is the term used for the reason for the patient's visit? - ANSWERS-Chief complaint
What elements are important in social history taking? - ANSWERS-Smoking, alcohol, and drug
use
Prior use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents is part of a patient's ________. - ANSWERS-
Past ocular history
,Pertinent family history of a patient should include which relatives? - ANSWERS-Parents,
grandparents, and genetic siblings
A patient describing an experience of getting hives after taking sulfa drugs is providing
information about __________. - ANSWERS-An allergic reaction
What is the term for the spasmodic, rhythmic dilating, and contracting pupillary movements
during pupil function testing? - ANSWERS-Hippus
What is the name of the test used for detecting a relative afferent pupillary defect? - ANSWERS-
Swinging flashlight test
Which muscle of the iris constricts in bright light? - ANSWERS-Sphincter
What is pupil dilation termed? - ANSWERS-Mydriasis
What is the term used when there is a difference in pupil size? - ANSWERS-Anisocoria
What is pupillometry? - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Consensual pupillary
reaction
Calibration of the applanation tonometer should be checked approximately every _____
months. - ANSWERS-Two (or sooner with regular use)
, When cleaning the goniolens, what is uses to rinse off the methycellulose? - ANSWERS-Warm
running water
When replacing a light bulb _____ can diminish its effectiveness and life. - ANSWERS-Oil from
fingers
Diagnostic lenses that contact the eye can be sterilized using? - ANSWERS-Ethylene Oxide gas
How should the removable glass slides inside the American Optical acuity projector be cleaned?
- ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-A lint-free cloth, a lens brush, or a blast of air
Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser? - ANSWERS-A qualified service
technician.
Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an ophthalmometer/keratometer? -
ANSWERS-Three test balls made of steel also called "Lensco Meter"
What should be used to clean the accessible lenses of a phoropter? - ANSWERS-Photographic
lens cleaner and lens tissue
What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate visual acuity projectors? - ANSWERS-
20/200
What is the name of the instrument used to neutralize lenses? - ANSWERS-Lensometer
(Lensmeter)
CERTIFIED OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANT EXAM (COA) TEST 2
LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATES 2026 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+
Name the nine components of the ophthalmic history. - ANSWERS-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? -
ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-Refer the patient to the ophthalmologist
What is the term used for the reason for the patient's visit? - ANSWERS-Chief complaint
What elements are important in social history taking? - ANSWERS-Smoking, alcohol, and drug
use
Prior use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents is part of a patient's ________. - ANSWERS-
Past ocular history
,Pertinent family history of a patient should include which relatives? - ANSWERS-Parents,
grandparents, and genetic siblings
A patient describing an experience of getting hives after taking sulfa drugs is providing
information about __________. - ANSWERS-An allergic reaction
What is the term for the spasmodic, rhythmic dilating, and contracting pupillary movements
during pupil function testing? - ANSWERS-Hippus
What is the name of the test used for detecting a relative afferent pupillary defect? - ANSWERS-
Swinging flashlight test
Which muscle of the iris constricts in bright light? - ANSWERS-Sphincter
What is pupil dilation termed? - ANSWERS-Mydriasis
What is the term used when there is a difference in pupil size? - ANSWERS-Anisocoria
What is pupillometry? - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Consensual pupillary
reaction
Calibration of the applanation tonometer should be checked approximately every _____
months. - ANSWERS-Two (or sooner with regular use)
, When cleaning the goniolens, what is uses to rinse off the methycellulose? - ANSWERS-Warm
running water
When replacing a light bulb _____ can diminish its effectiveness and life. - ANSWERS-Oil from
fingers
Diagnostic lenses that contact the eye can be sterilized using? - ANSWERS-Ethylene Oxide gas
How should the removable glass slides inside the American Optical acuity projector be cleaned?
- ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-A lint-free cloth, a lens brush, or a blast of air
Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser? - ANSWERS-A qualified service
technician.
Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an ophthalmometer/keratometer? -
ANSWERS-Three test balls made of steel also called "Lensco Meter"
What should be used to clean the accessible lenses of a phoropter? - ANSWERS-Photographic
lens cleaner and lens tissue
What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate visual acuity projectors? - ANSWERS-
20/200
What is the name of the instrument used to neutralize lenses? - ANSWERS-Lensometer
(Lensmeter)
