OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL ASSISTANT EXAM 2026
1. The primary function of the cornea is:
A. Produce aqueous humor
B. Focus light onto the retina
C. Regulate intraocular pressure
D. Drain tears
Answer: B
RATIONALE: THE CORNEA IS THE MAIN REFRACTIVE SURFACE OF THE EYE AND PROVIDES MOST OF
THE EYE’S FOCUSING POWER.
2. Which structure produces aqueous humor?
A. Retina
B. Ciliary body
C. Iris
D. Lens
Answer: B
RATIONALE: THE CILIARY BODY PRODUCES AQUEOUS HUMOR WHICH MAINTAINS INTRAOCULAR
PRESSURE AND NUTRITION.
3. The normal intraocular pressure (IOP) range is:
A. 5–10 mmHg
B. 10–21 mmHg
C. 22–30 mmHg
D. 30–40 mmHg
Answer: B
RATIONALE: NORMAL INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE RANGES FROM 10 TO 21 MMHG.
4. The retina is responsible for:
A. Producing tears
B. Converting light into neural signals
C. Controlling eye movement
D. Producing vitreous humor
Answer: B
RATIONALE: THE RETINA CONTAINS PHOTORECEPTORS THAT CONVERT LIGHT INTO ELECTRICAL
IMPULSES.
,5. The surgical procedure to remove cataract is called:
A. Keratoplasty
B. Trabeculectomy
C. Phacoemulsification
D. Vitrectomy
Answer: C
RATIONALE: PHACOEMULSIFICATION IS THE MOST COMMON MODERN METHOD OF CATARACT
REMOVAL.
6. The instrument used to hold back eyelids during surgery is:
A. Speculum
B. Forceps
C. Scissors
D. Needle holder
Answer: A
RATIONALE: A LID SPECULUM IS USED TO KEEP THE EYELIDS OPEN DURING OCULAR SURGERY.
7. Mydriasis refers to:
A. Pupil constriction
B. Pupil dilation
C. Corneal swelling
D. Lens opacity
Answer: B
RATIONALE: MYDRIASIS IS THE DILATION OF THE PUPIL, OFTEN INDUCED MEDICALLY FOR
EXAMINATION.
8. The most common cause of reversible blindness worldwide is:
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataract
C. Diabetic retinopathy
D. Retinal detachment
Answer: B
RATIONALE: CATARACT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF REVERSIBLE BLINDNESS GLOBALLY.
9. Glaucoma primarily damages:
A. Cornea
B. Optic nerve
, C. Retina
D. Lens
Answer: B
RATIONALE: GLAUCOMA DAMAGES THE OPTIC NERVE DUE TO ELEVATED INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE.
10. The surgical removal of vitreous gel is:
A. Keratotomy
B. Vitrectomy
C. Iridectomy
D. Sclerotomy
Answer: B
RATIONALE: VITRECTOMY INVOLVES REMOVING THE VITREOUS HUMOR FOR RETINAL SURGERY.
11–80 (CONTINUED EXAM)
11. Aseptic technique is used to:
A. Increase blood flow
B. Prevent infection
C. Reduce pain
D. Improve vision
Answer: B
RATIONALE: ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE PREVENTS INTRODUCTION OF MICROORGANISMS DURING
SURGERY.
12. The lens is located:
A. Behind the iris
B. In front of the cornea
C. In the retina
D. In the sclera
Answer: A
RATIONALE: THE LENS IS POSITIONED BEHIND THE IRIS AND HELPS FOCUS LIGHT ON THE RETINA.
13. The sclera is:
A. Transparent front eye layer
B. White outer protective layer
C. Light-sensitive layer
D. Fluid-filled chamber
1. The primary function of the cornea is:
A. Produce aqueous humor
B. Focus light onto the retina
C. Regulate intraocular pressure
D. Drain tears
Answer: B
RATIONALE: THE CORNEA IS THE MAIN REFRACTIVE SURFACE OF THE EYE AND PROVIDES MOST OF
THE EYE’S FOCUSING POWER.
2. Which structure produces aqueous humor?
A. Retina
B. Ciliary body
C. Iris
D. Lens
Answer: B
RATIONALE: THE CILIARY BODY PRODUCES AQUEOUS HUMOR WHICH MAINTAINS INTRAOCULAR
PRESSURE AND NUTRITION.
3. The normal intraocular pressure (IOP) range is:
A. 5–10 mmHg
B. 10–21 mmHg
C. 22–30 mmHg
D. 30–40 mmHg
Answer: B
RATIONALE: NORMAL INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE RANGES FROM 10 TO 21 MMHG.
4. The retina is responsible for:
A. Producing tears
B. Converting light into neural signals
C. Controlling eye movement
D. Producing vitreous humor
Answer: B
RATIONALE: THE RETINA CONTAINS PHOTORECEPTORS THAT CONVERT LIGHT INTO ELECTRICAL
IMPULSES.
,5. The surgical procedure to remove cataract is called:
A. Keratoplasty
B. Trabeculectomy
C. Phacoemulsification
D. Vitrectomy
Answer: C
RATIONALE: PHACOEMULSIFICATION IS THE MOST COMMON MODERN METHOD OF CATARACT
REMOVAL.
6. The instrument used to hold back eyelids during surgery is:
A. Speculum
B. Forceps
C. Scissors
D. Needle holder
Answer: A
RATIONALE: A LID SPECULUM IS USED TO KEEP THE EYELIDS OPEN DURING OCULAR SURGERY.
7. Mydriasis refers to:
A. Pupil constriction
B. Pupil dilation
C. Corneal swelling
D. Lens opacity
Answer: B
RATIONALE: MYDRIASIS IS THE DILATION OF THE PUPIL, OFTEN INDUCED MEDICALLY FOR
EXAMINATION.
8. The most common cause of reversible blindness worldwide is:
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataract
C. Diabetic retinopathy
D. Retinal detachment
Answer: B
RATIONALE: CATARACT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF REVERSIBLE BLINDNESS GLOBALLY.
9. Glaucoma primarily damages:
A. Cornea
B. Optic nerve
, C. Retina
D. Lens
Answer: B
RATIONALE: GLAUCOMA DAMAGES THE OPTIC NERVE DUE TO ELEVATED INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE.
10. The surgical removal of vitreous gel is:
A. Keratotomy
B. Vitrectomy
C. Iridectomy
D. Sclerotomy
Answer: B
RATIONALE: VITRECTOMY INVOLVES REMOVING THE VITREOUS HUMOR FOR RETINAL SURGERY.
11–80 (CONTINUED EXAM)
11. Aseptic technique is used to:
A. Increase blood flow
B. Prevent infection
C. Reduce pain
D. Improve vision
Answer: B
RATIONALE: ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE PREVENTS INTRODUCTION OF MICROORGANISMS DURING
SURGERY.
12. The lens is located:
A. Behind the iris
B. In front of the cornea
C. In the retina
D. In the sclera
Answer: A
RATIONALE: THE LENS IS POSITIONED BEHIND THE IRIS AND HELPS FOCUS LIGHT ON THE RETINA.
13. The sclera is:
A. Transparent front eye layer
B. White outer protective layer
C. Light-sensitive layer
D. Fluid-filled chamber
