CERTIFIED OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANT (COA) LATEST TEST 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2026 LATEST
EDITION
OVERVIEW
The COA exam assesses the knowledge and skills required for entry-level ophthalmic
assisting, focusing on eye anatomy and physiology, ocular diseases, patient care, clinical
procedures, and ophthalmic equipment use. Key areas include ocular anatomy and
physiology, refractive errors, common anterior and posterior segment disorders, diagnostic
and imaging techniques, visual acuity testing, tonometry, basic ophthalmic pharmacology,
infection control, and patient education. The exam emphasizes practical clinical application,
testing your ability to perform assessments, assist in procedures, interpret basic findings, and
communicate effectively with patients and the ophthalmic team. Understanding the rationale
behind procedures, normal vs abnormal findings, and safety standards is critical for success.
1. The only eye care professional who is a medical doctor is the:
A. Optometrist
B. Ocularist
C. Ophthalmologist
D. Orthoptist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An ophthalmologist is an MD/DO trained in medical and surgical eye care, unlike opticians or
orthoptists.
2. Of the following, the eye care professional who routinely fills prescriptions for eyeglasses is the:
A. Ocularist
B. Optician
C. Ophthalmic medical technician
D. Orthoptist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Opticians specialize in making and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
3. A patient in need of a prosthetic eye should be referred to an:
A. Ocularist
B. Optician
C. Orthoptist
D. Optometrist
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ocularists fabricate and fit artificial eyes for patients.
4. An ophthalmologist who concentrates on one area of the eye or focuses on a specific ocular disease
is called a:
A. Optician
B. Ocularist
C. Optometrist
D. Subspecialist
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ophthalmologists may pursue fellowship training in subspecialty areas (e.g., retina,
glaucoma).
5. The level directly above certified ophthalmic medical assistant on the JCAHPO certification ladder
is:
A. Certified ophthalmic medical technologist
B. Certified ophthalmic registered nurse
C. Certified ophthalmic technician
D. Certified ophthalmic photographer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) is the next level above COA in the JCAHPO certification
pathway. (Based on JCAHPO’s established certification ladder.)
6. Of the following, the responsibility that routinely falls to the ophthalmic medical assistant is:
A. Diagnosing conditions
B. Making prognostic estimates
C. Performing diagnostic tests
D. Prescribing treatment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ophthalmic medical assistants help perform diagnostic procedures under supervision.
(Standard allied health duties.)
7. An orthoptist is a specialized member of the eye care team who:
A. Fits prostheses
B. Evaluates double vision
,C. Dispenses contact lenses
D. Grinds eyeglass lenses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orthoptists diagnose and manage binocular vision disorders and eye movement problems.
8. JCAHPO is an abbreviation for:
A. Joined Command of Alternate Healthcare Personnel in Ophthalmology
B. Joined Committee of All Healthcare Personnel in Ophthalmology
C. Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
D. Joint Committee of All Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: JCAHPO stands for the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
9. Of the following, the structure that is part of the ocular adnexa is the:
A. Cornea
B. Eyelid
C. Lens
D. Optic nerve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The eyelid is part of the adnexa, which includes the supporting structures around the eye.
10. The medial rectus muscle rotates the eye:
A. Inward toward the nose
B. Outward toward the temple
C. Downward and inward toward the nose
D. Downward and outward
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The medial rectus adducts the eye toward the nose.
11. The membrane that lines the inner eyelid is the:
A. Bulbar conjunctiva
B. Epithelium
C. Palpebral conjunctiva
D. Tarsus
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Palpebral conjunctiva lines the inner surface of the eyelids.
12. The tough, transparent membrane providing about two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power is the:
A. Retina
B. Conjunctiva
C. Sclera
D. Cornea
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The cornea is the primary refractive surface of the eye.
13. The white tissue surrounding the cornea and forming the main structural component of the globe
is the:
A. Ciliary body
B. Limbus
C. Sclera
D. Vitreous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sclera is the protective white outer layer of the eye.
14. The structures of the uveal tract (uvea) are:
A. Iris, ciliary body, choroid
B. Iris, posterior chamber, ciliary body
C. Choroid, sclera, retina
D. Iris, lens, choroid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The uvea consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.
15. The clear, transparent fluid that fills the anterior chamber is called the:
A. Vitreous
B. Aqueous humor
C. Choroid
D. Tear film
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aqueous humor occupies the anterior chamber and nourishes adjacent structures.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2026 LATEST
EDITION
OVERVIEW
The COA exam assesses the knowledge and skills required for entry-level ophthalmic
assisting, focusing on eye anatomy and physiology, ocular diseases, patient care, clinical
procedures, and ophthalmic equipment use. Key areas include ocular anatomy and
physiology, refractive errors, common anterior and posterior segment disorders, diagnostic
and imaging techniques, visual acuity testing, tonometry, basic ophthalmic pharmacology,
infection control, and patient education. The exam emphasizes practical clinical application,
testing your ability to perform assessments, assist in procedures, interpret basic findings, and
communicate effectively with patients and the ophthalmic team. Understanding the rationale
behind procedures, normal vs abnormal findings, and safety standards is critical for success.
1. The only eye care professional who is a medical doctor is the:
A. Optometrist
B. Ocularist
C. Ophthalmologist
D. Orthoptist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An ophthalmologist is an MD/DO trained in medical and surgical eye care, unlike opticians or
orthoptists.
2. Of the following, the eye care professional who routinely fills prescriptions for eyeglasses is the:
A. Ocularist
B. Optician
C. Ophthalmic medical technician
D. Orthoptist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Opticians specialize in making and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
3. A patient in need of a prosthetic eye should be referred to an:
A. Ocularist
B. Optician
C. Orthoptist
D. Optometrist
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ocularists fabricate and fit artificial eyes for patients.
4. An ophthalmologist who concentrates on one area of the eye or focuses on a specific ocular disease
is called a:
A. Optician
B. Ocularist
C. Optometrist
D. Subspecialist
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ophthalmologists may pursue fellowship training in subspecialty areas (e.g., retina,
glaucoma).
5. The level directly above certified ophthalmic medical assistant on the JCAHPO certification ladder
is:
A. Certified ophthalmic medical technologist
B. Certified ophthalmic registered nurse
C. Certified ophthalmic technician
D. Certified ophthalmic photographer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) is the next level above COA in the JCAHPO certification
pathway. (Based on JCAHPO’s established certification ladder.)
6. Of the following, the responsibility that routinely falls to the ophthalmic medical assistant is:
A. Diagnosing conditions
B. Making prognostic estimates
C. Performing diagnostic tests
D. Prescribing treatment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ophthalmic medical assistants help perform diagnostic procedures under supervision.
(Standard allied health duties.)
7. An orthoptist is a specialized member of the eye care team who:
A. Fits prostheses
B. Evaluates double vision
,C. Dispenses contact lenses
D. Grinds eyeglass lenses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orthoptists diagnose and manage binocular vision disorders and eye movement problems.
8. JCAHPO is an abbreviation for:
A. Joined Command of Alternate Healthcare Personnel in Ophthalmology
B. Joined Committee of All Healthcare Personnel in Ophthalmology
C. Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
D. Joint Committee of All Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: JCAHPO stands for the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
9. Of the following, the structure that is part of the ocular adnexa is the:
A. Cornea
B. Eyelid
C. Lens
D. Optic nerve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The eyelid is part of the adnexa, which includes the supporting structures around the eye.
10. The medial rectus muscle rotates the eye:
A. Inward toward the nose
B. Outward toward the temple
C. Downward and inward toward the nose
D. Downward and outward
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The medial rectus adducts the eye toward the nose.
11. The membrane that lines the inner eyelid is the:
A. Bulbar conjunctiva
B. Epithelium
C. Palpebral conjunctiva
D. Tarsus
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Palpebral conjunctiva lines the inner surface of the eyelids.
12. The tough, transparent membrane providing about two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power is the:
A. Retina
B. Conjunctiva
C. Sclera
D. Cornea
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The cornea is the primary refractive surface of the eye.
13. The white tissue surrounding the cornea and forming the main structural component of the globe
is the:
A. Ciliary body
B. Limbus
C. Sclera
D. Vitreous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sclera is the protective white outer layer of the eye.
14. The structures of the uveal tract (uvea) are:
A. Iris, ciliary body, choroid
B. Iris, posterior chamber, ciliary body
C. Choroid, sclera, retina
D. Iris, lens, choroid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The uvea consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.
15. The clear, transparent fluid that fills the anterior chamber is called the:
A. Vitreous
B. Aqueous humor
C. Choroid
D. Tear film
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aqueous humor occupies the anterior chamber and nourishes adjacent structures.
