ophthalmology COA exam terms
abduction - ✔✔ correct answer the movement of the eye outward toward the temple.
aberrometry - ✔✔ correct answer The measurement of optical aberrations of the visual system using
a device called a wavefront ananlyzer or an aberrometer
abrasion - ✔✔ correct answer a scratch
abscess - ✔✔ correct answer a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue.
absolute scotoma - ✔✔ correct answer a severe visual field defect in which the largest and brightest
stimulus cannot be seen; blindness at that specific location
accommodation - ✔✔ correct answer The change in the curvature of the crystalline lens that helps
to focus images of objects close to the eye
acidic burns - ✔✔ correct answer a chemical injury to tissue, caused by an agent of low pH
acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome AIDS - ✔✔ correct answer An infection with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes a compromised immune system
acute - ✔✔ correct answer Refers to a condition that flares up suddenly and persists for only a short
time.
add - ✔✔ correct answer The portion of the multifocal lens (usually the lower part) that provides
correction for near vision. also called segment or near add
adduction - ✔✔ correct answer The movement of the eye inward toward the nose
adenovirus - ✔✔ correct answer A family of viruses involved primarily in respiratory infections; can
cause hightly contagious forms of conjunctivitis
adnexa - ✔✔ correct answer The tissues and structures surrounding the eye; includes the orbit,
extraocular muscles, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus
,ophthalmology COA exam terms
afferent pupillary defect APD - ✔✔ correct answer A pupil with normal iris function that fails to
constrict normally with direct light stimulation, but reacts strongly consensually, or when the fellow
eye is stimulated. Usually secondary to optic nerve disease.
"against motion" - ✔✔ correct answer The retinoscopic reflex movement that is in the opposite
direction from the movement of the streak of light from the retinoscope; typical of the myopic eye
age-related macular degeneration ARMD - ✔✔ correct answer A disease in which sensory cells of the
macula degenerate, resulting in a loss of central vision; usually affects older people
alkali burn - ✔✔ correct answer A chemical injury to tissue, cased by an agent of high pH
allergic reaction - ✔✔ correct answer A condition in which the body produces antibodies to foreign
materials such as food, plant pollens, or medications
alternate cover test - ✔✔ correct answer A test performed by placing an occluder over one eye and
then moving it slowly over to the other eye to detect a tendency for the eyes to deviate while under
the occluder (such an ocular misalignment is know as a phoria) Also called cross-cover test
altitudinal scotoma - ✔✔ correct answer The joining and enlargement of a nasal step visual field
defect and an arcuate scotoma to cause loss of the entire upper or lower visual field
amblyopia - ✔✔ correct answer Decreased vision present without apparent abnormalities in the
ocular anatomy and uncorrectable by spectacles or contact lenses; results from visual deprivation in
early childhood
ametropia - ✔✔ correct answer The refractive state of an eye that is unable to focus correctly due to
a refractive error
A-mode ultrasonography or A-Scan ultrasonography - ✔✔ correct answer A diagnostic procedure in
which sound waves traveling in a staight line are used to reveal the position of, and distances
between, structures with the eye and orbit. This techhnology helps to determine the power selection
of an intraocular lens
Amsler grid test - ✔✔ correct answer A test for determining the presence and location of defects in
the cenetral portion of the visual field.
,ophthalmology COA exam terms
anatomy - ✔✔ correct answer The structure of an organism
anesthetic - ✔✔ correct answer A drug that causes a temporary deadening of a nerve, resulting in
loss of feeling in the surrounding tissue
angiogenesis - ✔✔ correct answer The formation of new blood vessels
Angiography - ✔✔ correct answer A method of examining and recording size, structure, and location
of blood vessels in organ systems, using fluorescent dyes.
anisocoria - ✔✔ correct answer a condition in which the pupils are of unequal size
anterior - ✔✔ correct answer The front part of a structure
anterior chamber angle - ✔✔ correct answer The junction of the cornea and the iris, from which
aqueous humor leaves the eye. Also called filtration angle.
anterior chamber - ✔✔ correct answer The small compartment between the cornea and the iris that
is filled with a clear, transparent fluid called aqueous humor
anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) - ✔✔ correct answer Insufficient blood flow to the optic
nerve head resulting in a lack of oxygen and subsequent infarction of (loss of) the nerve fibers and
loss of vision
anterior segment - ✔✔ correct answer The front of the eye; includes the structures between the
front surface of the cornea and the vitreous
anti-angiogenesis - ✔✔ correct answer A process or agent that prevents new blood vessel growth
antibiotic - ✔✔ correct answer a drug that combats a bacterial infection
antibody - ✔✔ correct answer A chemical substance that the body manufactures to neutralize an
infecting micoorganism, toxin, or foreign agent.
, ophthalmology COA exam terms
antifungal - ✔✔ correct answer A drug that combats a fungal infection
antimetabolite - ✔✔ correct answer A substance that interferes with a metabolite necessary for
normal metabolic functions; often used to disrupt proliferation of cancersous or other abnormal
cells, antimetabolites may also be used to prevent normal re-growth in circumstances where it is not
desirable
antireflective AR - ✔✔ correct answer A treatment that reduces or eleminates reflections from the
surface of a lens
antivascular endothelium growth factor (anti-VEGF) - ✔✔ correct answer A therapeutic drug used in
intravitreal injections that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It acts by deminishing
the stimulus for abnormal new vessel growth (angiogenesis), a known cause of wet age-related
macular degeneration
antiviral - ✔✔ correct answer A drug that combats a viral infection
apex - ✔✔ correct answer The top, as of a prism
aphakia - ✔✔ correct answer The absence of the crystalline lens, usually abecause of cataract
extraction
aphakic correction - ✔✔ correct answer The use of a contact lens, eyeglasses, or an intraocular lens
to improve visual acuity in aphakic patients.
applanation - ✔✔ correct answer A form of tonometry in which the force required to flatten a small
area of the central
aqueous humor - ✔✔ correct answer The clear, transparent fluid that fills the anterior chamber
arc perimeter - ✔✔ correct answer An instrument used to test peripheral vision using bands of half
circles placed at various meridians
abduction - ✔✔ correct answer the movement of the eye outward toward the temple.
aberrometry - ✔✔ correct answer The measurement of optical aberrations of the visual system using
a device called a wavefront ananlyzer or an aberrometer
abrasion - ✔✔ correct answer a scratch
abscess - ✔✔ correct answer a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue.
absolute scotoma - ✔✔ correct answer a severe visual field defect in which the largest and brightest
stimulus cannot be seen; blindness at that specific location
accommodation - ✔✔ correct answer The change in the curvature of the crystalline lens that helps
to focus images of objects close to the eye
acidic burns - ✔✔ correct answer a chemical injury to tissue, caused by an agent of low pH
acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome AIDS - ✔✔ correct answer An infection with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes a compromised immune system
acute - ✔✔ correct answer Refers to a condition that flares up suddenly and persists for only a short
time.
add - ✔✔ correct answer The portion of the multifocal lens (usually the lower part) that provides
correction for near vision. also called segment or near add
adduction - ✔✔ correct answer The movement of the eye inward toward the nose
adenovirus - ✔✔ correct answer A family of viruses involved primarily in respiratory infections; can
cause hightly contagious forms of conjunctivitis
adnexa - ✔✔ correct answer The tissues and structures surrounding the eye; includes the orbit,
extraocular muscles, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus
,ophthalmology COA exam terms
afferent pupillary defect APD - ✔✔ correct answer A pupil with normal iris function that fails to
constrict normally with direct light stimulation, but reacts strongly consensually, or when the fellow
eye is stimulated. Usually secondary to optic nerve disease.
"against motion" - ✔✔ correct answer The retinoscopic reflex movement that is in the opposite
direction from the movement of the streak of light from the retinoscope; typical of the myopic eye
age-related macular degeneration ARMD - ✔✔ correct answer A disease in which sensory cells of the
macula degenerate, resulting in a loss of central vision; usually affects older people
alkali burn - ✔✔ correct answer A chemical injury to tissue, cased by an agent of high pH
allergic reaction - ✔✔ correct answer A condition in which the body produces antibodies to foreign
materials such as food, plant pollens, or medications
alternate cover test - ✔✔ correct answer A test performed by placing an occluder over one eye and
then moving it slowly over to the other eye to detect a tendency for the eyes to deviate while under
the occluder (such an ocular misalignment is know as a phoria) Also called cross-cover test
altitudinal scotoma - ✔✔ correct answer The joining and enlargement of a nasal step visual field
defect and an arcuate scotoma to cause loss of the entire upper or lower visual field
amblyopia - ✔✔ correct answer Decreased vision present without apparent abnormalities in the
ocular anatomy and uncorrectable by spectacles or contact lenses; results from visual deprivation in
early childhood
ametropia - ✔✔ correct answer The refractive state of an eye that is unable to focus correctly due to
a refractive error
A-mode ultrasonography or A-Scan ultrasonography - ✔✔ correct answer A diagnostic procedure in
which sound waves traveling in a staight line are used to reveal the position of, and distances
between, structures with the eye and orbit. This techhnology helps to determine the power selection
of an intraocular lens
Amsler grid test - ✔✔ correct answer A test for determining the presence and location of defects in
the cenetral portion of the visual field.
,ophthalmology COA exam terms
anatomy - ✔✔ correct answer The structure of an organism
anesthetic - ✔✔ correct answer A drug that causes a temporary deadening of a nerve, resulting in
loss of feeling in the surrounding tissue
angiogenesis - ✔✔ correct answer The formation of new blood vessels
Angiography - ✔✔ correct answer A method of examining and recording size, structure, and location
of blood vessels in organ systems, using fluorescent dyes.
anisocoria - ✔✔ correct answer a condition in which the pupils are of unequal size
anterior - ✔✔ correct answer The front part of a structure
anterior chamber angle - ✔✔ correct answer The junction of the cornea and the iris, from which
aqueous humor leaves the eye. Also called filtration angle.
anterior chamber - ✔✔ correct answer The small compartment between the cornea and the iris that
is filled with a clear, transparent fluid called aqueous humor
anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) - ✔✔ correct answer Insufficient blood flow to the optic
nerve head resulting in a lack of oxygen and subsequent infarction of (loss of) the nerve fibers and
loss of vision
anterior segment - ✔✔ correct answer The front of the eye; includes the structures between the
front surface of the cornea and the vitreous
anti-angiogenesis - ✔✔ correct answer A process or agent that prevents new blood vessel growth
antibiotic - ✔✔ correct answer a drug that combats a bacterial infection
antibody - ✔✔ correct answer A chemical substance that the body manufactures to neutralize an
infecting micoorganism, toxin, or foreign agent.
, ophthalmology COA exam terms
antifungal - ✔✔ correct answer A drug that combats a fungal infection
antimetabolite - ✔✔ correct answer A substance that interferes with a metabolite necessary for
normal metabolic functions; often used to disrupt proliferation of cancersous or other abnormal
cells, antimetabolites may also be used to prevent normal re-growth in circumstances where it is not
desirable
antireflective AR - ✔✔ correct answer A treatment that reduces or eleminates reflections from the
surface of a lens
antivascular endothelium growth factor (anti-VEGF) - ✔✔ correct answer A therapeutic drug used in
intravitreal injections that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It acts by deminishing
the stimulus for abnormal new vessel growth (angiogenesis), a known cause of wet age-related
macular degeneration
antiviral - ✔✔ correct answer A drug that combats a viral infection
apex - ✔✔ correct answer The top, as of a prism
aphakia - ✔✔ correct answer The absence of the crystalline lens, usually abecause of cataract
extraction
aphakic correction - ✔✔ correct answer The use of a contact lens, eyeglasses, or an intraocular lens
to improve visual acuity in aphakic patients.
applanation - ✔✔ correct answer A form of tonometry in which the force required to flatten a small
area of the central
aqueous humor - ✔✔ correct answer The clear, transparent fluid that fills the anterior chamber
arc perimeter - ✔✔ correct answer An instrument used to test peripheral vision using bands of half
circles placed at various meridians
