ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
How would an O&M specialist utilize VA Blind Centers? - ANS VA Blind Centers are financially
funded resources that serve veterans with vision loss.
What are the missions of the American Council for the Blind (ACB)? - ANS The ACB strives to
increase the independence, security, and equality of opportunity for blind individuals.
How did WWII influence the O&M profession? - ANS The influx of blinded veterans during
WWII prompted a reevaluation of how O&M programs were organized.
Who is Richard Hoover and what is his contribution to the O&M profession? - ANS Richard
Hoover is known as the Father of O&M in cane use, having developed a successful cane
technique.
What is the optic chiasm? - ANS The optic chiasm is where the nasal fibers of each optic
nerve cross, separating information from the right and left visual fields.
What is the condition characterized by progressive damage to the central part of the retina? -
ANS This condition affects the cones and can be classified as 'wet' or 'dry' macular
degeneration.
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,What are the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa? - ANS Symptoms include night blindness,
peripheral loss, tunnel vision, and potentially complete blindness.
What is retinopathy of prematurity? - ANS It is a decrease in retinal blood vessel
development in premature babies, leading to bleeding and scarring of the retina. It can cause
retinal detachments. Usually people with ROP have a high myopia and photophobia.
What is glaucoma? - ANS Glaucoma is a collection of eye diseases that cause increased
pressure in the eye due to blockage in the drainage system. People with Glaucoma have a
restriction of their peripheral vision, impaired night vision, blurry central vision.
How does diabetes affect the retina? - ANS Diabetes can cause changes in retinal blood
vessels, leading to hemorrhaging and diabetic retinopathy. Often, their functional vision
fluctuates with their blood sugar
What is cortical visual impairment (CVI)? - ANS CVI is damage to the visual cortex in the brain,
affecting how visual information is processed, while ocular structures remain intact. CVI has 3
phases https://www.perkins.org/examining-degree-of-impact-and-cvi-phases/
What is the fovea? - ANS The fovea is where retinal cones are particularly concentrated,
allowing for sharp central vision.
What is hyperopia? - ANS Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when the refractive ability is
too weak or the eye is too short.
What is myopia? - ANS Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the refractive ability is too
strong or the eye is too long.
What is astigmatism? - ANS Astigmatism is caused by light rays entering the eye being bent
unequally, preventing proper image formation.
What is presbyopia? - ANS Presbyopia is the gradual hardening of the lens due to age,
leading to reduced ability to focus on close objects. Also called "old eyes".
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
, What does an audiogram show? - ANS An audiogram displays the quietest sounds a person
can hear, with specific symbols representing different tests.
What is bilateral hearing loss and how does it affect O&M - ANS Bilateral hearing loss affects
both ears - a binural hearing aid should be used to balance the hearing sensitivity in both ears.
sound directionality may continue to be difficult - specifically front and back. (chapter 3)
What is conductive hearing loss? - ANS Conductive hearing loss is a dysfunction of the outer
or middle ear that results in a loudness deficit. This could be due to a blockage, but also could
be a ruptured ear drum.
What is unilateral hearing loss and how does it affect O&M - ANS UNIlateral hearing loss
affects only one ear - this can make it difficult to use effective sound localization. A hearing aid
can improve this.
What eye diseases are associated with diabetes? - ANS Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and
cataracts are eye diseases associated with diabetes.
What considerations should be made for O&M instruction for persons with diabetes? - ANS It
is important to monitor blood sugar levels, know what medicines the person is on, neuropathy,
other medical concerns, their current level of vision (vision may fluctuate)
What eye diseases are associated with AIDS? - ANS Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, which
can cause lesions on the retina and swelling of the optic nerve.
What should an O&M specialist do if a client experiences hypoglycemia? - ANS Treat with a
fruit drink or sugar; symptoms can occur suddenly.
What are the key steps in the seizure procedure? - ANS Be prepared, obtain baseline
information, and identify the type of seizure. If a seizure occurs, the primary job of the O&M is
to keep the person from injury, then activate the emergency plan.
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
How would an O&M specialist utilize VA Blind Centers? - ANS VA Blind Centers are financially
funded resources that serve veterans with vision loss.
What are the missions of the American Council for the Blind (ACB)? - ANS The ACB strives to
increase the independence, security, and equality of opportunity for blind individuals.
How did WWII influence the O&M profession? - ANS The influx of blinded veterans during
WWII prompted a reevaluation of how O&M programs were organized.
Who is Richard Hoover and what is his contribution to the O&M profession? - ANS Richard
Hoover is known as the Father of O&M in cane use, having developed a successful cane
technique.
What is the optic chiasm? - ANS The optic chiasm is where the nasal fibers of each optic
nerve cross, separating information from the right and left visual fields.
What is the condition characterized by progressive damage to the central part of the retina? -
ANS This condition affects the cones and can be classified as 'wet' or 'dry' macular
degeneration.
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,What are the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa? - ANS Symptoms include night blindness,
peripheral loss, tunnel vision, and potentially complete blindness.
What is retinopathy of prematurity? - ANS It is a decrease in retinal blood vessel
development in premature babies, leading to bleeding and scarring of the retina. It can cause
retinal detachments. Usually people with ROP have a high myopia and photophobia.
What is glaucoma? - ANS Glaucoma is a collection of eye diseases that cause increased
pressure in the eye due to blockage in the drainage system. People with Glaucoma have a
restriction of their peripheral vision, impaired night vision, blurry central vision.
How does diabetes affect the retina? - ANS Diabetes can cause changes in retinal blood
vessels, leading to hemorrhaging and diabetic retinopathy. Often, their functional vision
fluctuates with their blood sugar
What is cortical visual impairment (CVI)? - ANS CVI is damage to the visual cortex in the brain,
affecting how visual information is processed, while ocular structures remain intact. CVI has 3
phases https://www.perkins.org/examining-degree-of-impact-and-cvi-phases/
What is the fovea? - ANS The fovea is where retinal cones are particularly concentrated,
allowing for sharp central vision.
What is hyperopia? - ANS Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when the refractive ability is
too weak or the eye is too short.
What is myopia? - ANS Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the refractive ability is too
strong or the eye is too long.
What is astigmatism? - ANS Astigmatism is caused by light rays entering the eye being bent
unequally, preventing proper image formation.
What is presbyopia? - ANS Presbyopia is the gradual hardening of the lens due to age,
leading to reduced ability to focus on close objects. Also called "old eyes".
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
, What does an audiogram show? - ANS An audiogram displays the quietest sounds a person
can hear, with specific symbols representing different tests.
What is bilateral hearing loss and how does it affect O&M - ANS Bilateral hearing loss affects
both ears - a binural hearing aid should be used to balance the hearing sensitivity in both ears.
sound directionality may continue to be difficult - specifically front and back. (chapter 3)
What is conductive hearing loss? - ANS Conductive hearing loss is a dysfunction of the outer
or middle ear that results in a loudness deficit. This could be due to a blockage, but also could
be a ruptured ear drum.
What is unilateral hearing loss and how does it affect O&M - ANS UNIlateral hearing loss
affects only one ear - this can make it difficult to use effective sound localization. A hearing aid
can improve this.
What eye diseases are associated with diabetes? - ANS Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and
cataracts are eye diseases associated with diabetes.
What considerations should be made for O&M instruction for persons with diabetes? - ANS It
is important to monitor blood sugar levels, know what medicines the person is on, neuropathy,
other medical concerns, their current level of vision (vision may fluctuate)
What eye diseases are associated with AIDS? - ANS Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, which
can cause lesions on the retina and swelling of the optic nerve.
What should an O&M specialist do if a client experiences hypoglycemia? - ANS Treat with a
fruit drink or sugar; symptoms can occur suddenly.
What are the key steps in the seizure procedure? - ANS Be prepared, obtain baseline
information, and identify the type of seizure. If a seizure occurs, the primary job of the O&M is
to keep the person from injury, then activate the emergency plan.
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
