JCAHPO COA EXAM COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ What is the process of neutralization during retinoscopy? Answer:
finding the lens power that affects movement of the retinal reflex
and fills the pupil with light
◉ What is a toric cornea characteristic of? Answer: astigmatism
◉ If the lensmeter mires cannot be centered in the central portion of
the lensmeter target, the lens probably contains which of the
following? Answer: prism
◉ The distance portion of an eyeglass lens is +2.00 D and the bifocal
add is +1.00. What is the power of the lens through the bifocal
segment? Answer: +3.00 D
◉ What is a substance called that permits the passage of light
without significant disruption? Answer: transparent
◉ What type of lens best corrects myopia combined with
astigmatism? Answer: spherocylindrical lens
,◉ What is the first step in performing manual lensometry or
keratometry? Answer: Focus the eyepiece.
◉ What is the power in diopters of a convex lens with a focal length
of 0.50 meter? Answer: 2.00 D
◉ In ophthalmology, topical anesthetics are most often used for
what purpose? Answer: preventing discomfort during diagnostic
procedures
◉ Which of the following is not used to treat bacterial infections?
Answer: nystatin
◉ Generic drugs that have a name that ends with "lol" are which of
the following? Answer: beta adrenergic blockers
◉ What is the primary function of topical corticosteroids? Answer:
anti-inflammatory and antiallergic agents, which reduce swelling
and scarring of the lids and anterior segment
◉ Of the following, which drug is most helpful when performing
both a fundus examination and an objective refraction on a pediatric
patient? Answer: a cycloplegic
,◉ Of the following, which type of injection is classified as a form of
systemic drug delivery? Answer: subcutaneous
◉ What is a disadvantage of ophthalmic medicinal ointments?
Answer: may blur vision when applied
◉ How do miotics function to reduce intraocular pressure? Answer:
by contracting the ciliary body muscle and opening the outflow
channels for aqueous humor
◉ What is a common side effect of cycloplegics? Answer: blurred
vision
◉ Which 2 types of eye drops could stimulate an attack of angle-
closure glaucoma in patients with narrow anterior chamber angles?
Answer: mydriatics and cycloplegics
◉ What is the topical drug phenylephrine classified as? Answer: a
mydriatic
◉ What should the ophthalmic medical assistant do when instilling
eye drops? Answer: Administer the medication directly into the
conjunctival sac
, ◉ What is an example of an anti-VEGF agent? Answer: ranibizumab
◉ The ophthalmologist has written a prescription that includes the
abbreviations "gtt" and "bid." These indicate that the prescribed
drug is which of the following? Answer: topical drops to be
administered twice a day
◉ What is the primary purpose of standard precautions? Answer: to
reduce the opportunity for harmful microbes to flourish and
threaten patients and medical personnel
◉ What is an autoclave used for? Answer: to sterilize medical
materials by means of pressurized moist heat
◉ What is the best definition of sterilization? Answer: the
destruction of all microorganisms
◉ If the ophthalmic medical assistant accidentally touches the
sterile functional surface of a disposable instrument, what should be
done with the instrument? Answer: discarded, no matter what its
cost
◉ What should ophthalmic medical assistants do with open cuts on
their hands? Answer: Wear gloves to protect both patients and
themselves.
GUIDE 2026 VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ What is the process of neutralization during retinoscopy? Answer:
finding the lens power that affects movement of the retinal reflex
and fills the pupil with light
◉ What is a toric cornea characteristic of? Answer: astigmatism
◉ If the lensmeter mires cannot be centered in the central portion of
the lensmeter target, the lens probably contains which of the
following? Answer: prism
◉ The distance portion of an eyeglass lens is +2.00 D and the bifocal
add is +1.00. What is the power of the lens through the bifocal
segment? Answer: +3.00 D
◉ What is a substance called that permits the passage of light
without significant disruption? Answer: transparent
◉ What type of lens best corrects myopia combined with
astigmatism? Answer: spherocylindrical lens
,◉ What is the first step in performing manual lensometry or
keratometry? Answer: Focus the eyepiece.
◉ What is the power in diopters of a convex lens with a focal length
of 0.50 meter? Answer: 2.00 D
◉ In ophthalmology, topical anesthetics are most often used for
what purpose? Answer: preventing discomfort during diagnostic
procedures
◉ Which of the following is not used to treat bacterial infections?
Answer: nystatin
◉ Generic drugs that have a name that ends with "lol" are which of
the following? Answer: beta adrenergic blockers
◉ What is the primary function of topical corticosteroids? Answer:
anti-inflammatory and antiallergic agents, which reduce swelling
and scarring of the lids and anterior segment
◉ Of the following, which drug is most helpful when performing
both a fundus examination and an objective refraction on a pediatric
patient? Answer: a cycloplegic
,◉ Of the following, which type of injection is classified as a form of
systemic drug delivery? Answer: subcutaneous
◉ What is a disadvantage of ophthalmic medicinal ointments?
Answer: may blur vision when applied
◉ How do miotics function to reduce intraocular pressure? Answer:
by contracting the ciliary body muscle and opening the outflow
channels for aqueous humor
◉ What is a common side effect of cycloplegics? Answer: blurred
vision
◉ Which 2 types of eye drops could stimulate an attack of angle-
closure glaucoma in patients with narrow anterior chamber angles?
Answer: mydriatics and cycloplegics
◉ What is the topical drug phenylephrine classified as? Answer: a
mydriatic
◉ What should the ophthalmic medical assistant do when instilling
eye drops? Answer: Administer the medication directly into the
conjunctival sac
, ◉ What is an example of an anti-VEGF agent? Answer: ranibizumab
◉ The ophthalmologist has written a prescription that includes the
abbreviations "gtt" and "bid." These indicate that the prescribed
drug is which of the following? Answer: topical drops to be
administered twice a day
◉ What is the primary purpose of standard precautions? Answer: to
reduce the opportunity for harmful microbes to flourish and
threaten patients and medical personnel
◉ What is an autoclave used for? Answer: to sterilize medical
materials by means of pressurized moist heat
◉ What is the best definition of sterilization? Answer: the
destruction of all microorganisms
◉ If the ophthalmic medical assistant accidentally touches the
sterile functional surface of a disposable instrument, what should be
done with the instrument? Answer: discarded, no matter what its
cost
◉ What should ophthalmic medical assistants do with open cuts on
their hands? Answer: Wear gloves to protect both patients and
themselves.
