1
IJCAPHO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
(COA) Certification Exam Questions and
Answers Graded Latest Version 2026
Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser?
qualified service techician
Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an
ophthalmometer/keratometer?
three test balls made of steel, also called "lensco meter"
what should be used to clean the accessible lens of
phoropter?
photographic lens cleaner and lens tissues
What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate
visual acuity projectors?
20/200
what is the name of the instrument used to neutralize
lenses?
lensometry/lensmeter
when recording prism in a spectacle Rx, what does the
abbreviation BO stand for?
base out
what is determined by focusing the thin lines in manual
lensometer?
the sphere of the spectacle RX is determined by the thin lines
that is the first step in performing lensomety?
focus the eyepiece
If you cannot center the thick and thin lines in the
lensometer, the lens has ________.
ground-in prism
each black ring seen in the lensometer eyepiece reticle
measures how much prism?
1 diopter for each ring
,2
when performing lensometry, what is indicated if both thin
and wide lines are in focus at the same time?
the lens is spherical
An unfocused eyepiece can lead to an error of _________.
1 diopter in K readings
How many meridians are measured in keratometry?
2 meridians (usually 90 degrees apart)
The average K reading is _________.
43 to 44 diopters
Keratometry measures the ________ of the anterior curvature
of the cornea.
central 3.3 mm
what is the technique used to measure the radius of the
curvature of the anterior corneal surface?
A-scan keratometry length measurements
Keratometry is performed with a device called a ______
keratometer or ophthalmometer
give 3 example in which keratometry measurement would be
useful
contacts, refractive surgery, IOL calculations, keratoconus
Keratometry is measured in _____
diopters
the diffusion of oxygen through a contact lens material is
referred to as
DK value
t/f: the application and evaluation of a diagnostic lens on the
eye is the best way to fit a contact lens
true
Name the instrument used to determine the posterior surface
radius of curvature of a rigid contact lens?
radiuscope and/or contact guage
name 3 reasons to dispense a therapeutic bandage contact
lens
, 3
to protect cornea from eyelids/lashes, to promote corneal healing,
provide comfort, to stop wound leaks, improve vision, for drug
delivery
Name 2 measurements required to fit a contact lens
refraction and K readings (keratometry)
Overwear of contact lenses may result in insufficient oxygen
to the cornea called _________.
hypoxia ophthalmia
what are ethics?
moral principles and values that govern individual behavoir
What must ophthalmic medical assistants abide by?
The laws of the state in which their employer practices and under
the services of a licensed ophthalmologist
Attempting to work independently of an ophthalmologist is
considered ____.
practicing medicine without a license
what should an ophthalmic practice have in place to meet
legal compliance?
a compliance office, policies, and procedures
what is HIPPA?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
what does HIPPA protect?
The dissemination of specific patient information
what is coding?
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?
utilization review
Complete the statement: "if it isn't documented, ____"
it didn't happen
What is ICD-9-CM?
IJCAPHO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
(COA) Certification Exam Questions and
Answers Graded Latest Version 2026
Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser?
qualified service techician
Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an
ophthalmometer/keratometer?
three test balls made of steel, also called "lensco meter"
what should be used to clean the accessible lens of
phoropter?
photographic lens cleaner and lens tissues
What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate
visual acuity projectors?
20/200
what is the name of the instrument used to neutralize
lenses?
lensometry/lensmeter
when recording prism in a spectacle Rx, what does the
abbreviation BO stand for?
base out
what is determined by focusing the thin lines in manual
lensometer?
the sphere of the spectacle RX is determined by the thin lines
that is the first step in performing lensomety?
focus the eyepiece
If you cannot center the thick and thin lines in the
lensometer, the lens has ________.
ground-in prism
each black ring seen in the lensometer eyepiece reticle
measures how much prism?
1 diopter for each ring
,2
when performing lensometry, what is indicated if both thin
and wide lines are in focus at the same time?
the lens is spherical
An unfocused eyepiece can lead to an error of _________.
1 diopter in K readings
How many meridians are measured in keratometry?
2 meridians (usually 90 degrees apart)
The average K reading is _________.
43 to 44 diopters
Keratometry measures the ________ of the anterior curvature
of the cornea.
central 3.3 mm
what is the technique used to measure the radius of the
curvature of the anterior corneal surface?
A-scan keratometry length measurements
Keratometry is performed with a device called a ______
keratometer or ophthalmometer
give 3 example in which keratometry measurement would be
useful
contacts, refractive surgery, IOL calculations, keratoconus
Keratometry is measured in _____
diopters
the diffusion of oxygen through a contact lens material is
referred to as
DK value
t/f: the application and evaluation of a diagnostic lens on the
eye is the best way to fit a contact lens
true
Name the instrument used to determine the posterior surface
radius of curvature of a rigid contact lens?
radiuscope and/or contact guage
name 3 reasons to dispense a therapeutic bandage contact
lens
, 3
to protect cornea from eyelids/lashes, to promote corneal healing,
provide comfort, to stop wound leaks, improve vision, for drug
delivery
Name 2 measurements required to fit a contact lens
refraction and K readings (keratometry)
Overwear of contact lenses may result in insufficient oxygen
to the cornea called _________.
hypoxia ophthalmia
what are ethics?
moral principles and values that govern individual behavoir
What must ophthalmic medical assistants abide by?
The laws of the state in which their employer practices and under
the services of a licensed ophthalmologist
Attempting to work independently of an ophthalmologist is
considered ____.
practicing medicine without a license
what should an ophthalmic practice have in place to meet
legal compliance?
a compliance office, policies, and procedures
what is HIPPA?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
what does HIPPA protect?
The dissemination of specific patient information
what is coding?
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?
utilization review
Complete the statement: "if it isn't documented, ____"
it didn't happen
What is ICD-9-CM?
