JCAPHO Certified Ophthalmic
Assistant Exam Q&A
abduction Correct Ans - The movement of the eye outward toward the
temple.
aberrometry Correct Ans - The measurement of optical aberrations of
the visual system using a device called a wavefront analyzer or an
aberrometer.
abrasion Correct Ans - A scratch.
abscess Correct Ans - A localized collection of pus surrounded by
inflamed tissue.
absolute scotoma Correct Ans - A severe visual field defect in which
the largest and brightest stimulus cannot be seen; blindness at that specific
location.
accommodation Correct Ans - The change in the curvature of the
crystalline lens that helps to focus images of objects close to the eye.
acidic burns Correct Ans - A chemical injury to tissue, caused by an
agent of low pH.
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Correct Ans - An
infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes a
compromised immune system.
acute Correct Ans - Refers to a condition that flares up suddenly and
persists for only a short time.
add Correct Ans - The lower portion of the multifocal lens (usually the
lower part) that provides correction for near vision. Also called segment or
near add.
,adduction Correct Ans - The movement of the eye inward toward the
nose.
adenovirus Correct Ans - A family of viruses involved primarily in
respiratory infections; can cause highly contagious forms of conjunctivitis.
adnexa Correct Ans - The tissues and structures surrounding the eye;
includes the orbit, extraocular muscles, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus.
afferent pupillary defect (APD) Correct Ans - 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 Ans - 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 Correct Ans - A disease in which
sensory cells of the macula degenerate, resulting in a loss of central vision;
usually affects older people.
alkali burn Correct Ans - A chemical injury to tissue, caused by an
agent of high pH.
allergic reaction Correct Ans - A condition in which the body produces
antibodies to foreign materials such as food, plant pollens, or medications.
alternate cover test Correct Ans - 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 known as a phoria). Also called cross-cover test.
altitudinal scotoma Correct Ans - The joining and enlargement of a
nasal step visual field defect and an arcuate scooter to cause loss of the entire
upper or lower visual field.
, amblyopia Correct Ans - 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 Ans - The refractive state of an eye that is unable to
focus correctly due to a refractive error.
Amsler grid test Correct Ans - A test for determining the presence and
location of defects in the central portion of the visual field.
anatomy Correct Ans - The structure of an organism.
anesthetic Correct Ans - A drug that causes a temporary deadening of
a nerve, resulting in loss of feeling in the surrounding tissue.
angiogenesis Correct Ans - The formation of new blood vessels
angiography Correct Ans - A method of examining and recording size,
structure, and location of blood vessels in organ systems, using fluorescent
dyes.
anisocoria Correct Ans - A condition in which the pupils are of unequal
size.
anterior Correct Ans - The front part of a structure.
anterior chamber angle Correct Ans - The junction of the cornea and
the iris, from which aqueous humor leaves the eye. Also called filtration angle.
anterior chamber Correct Ans - 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 Ans - 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 Ans - The front of the eye; includes the
structures between the front surface of the cornea and the vitreous.
Assistant Exam Q&A
abduction Correct Ans - The movement of the eye outward toward the
temple.
aberrometry Correct Ans - The measurement of optical aberrations of
the visual system using a device called a wavefront analyzer or an
aberrometer.
abrasion Correct Ans - A scratch.
abscess Correct Ans - A localized collection of pus surrounded by
inflamed tissue.
absolute scotoma Correct Ans - A severe visual field defect in which
the largest and brightest stimulus cannot be seen; blindness at that specific
location.
accommodation Correct Ans - The change in the curvature of the
crystalline lens that helps to focus images of objects close to the eye.
acidic burns Correct Ans - A chemical injury to tissue, caused by an
agent of low pH.
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Correct Ans - An
infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes a
compromised immune system.
acute Correct Ans - Refers to a condition that flares up suddenly and
persists for only a short time.
add Correct Ans - The lower portion of the multifocal lens (usually the
lower part) that provides correction for near vision. Also called segment or
near add.
,adduction Correct Ans - The movement of the eye inward toward the
nose.
adenovirus Correct Ans - A family of viruses involved primarily in
respiratory infections; can cause highly contagious forms of conjunctivitis.
adnexa Correct Ans - The tissues and structures surrounding the eye;
includes the orbit, extraocular muscles, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus.
afferent pupillary defect (APD) Correct Ans - 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 Ans - 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 Correct Ans - A disease in which
sensory cells of the macula degenerate, resulting in a loss of central vision;
usually affects older people.
alkali burn Correct Ans - A chemical injury to tissue, caused by an
agent of high pH.
allergic reaction Correct Ans - A condition in which the body produces
antibodies to foreign materials such as food, plant pollens, or medications.
alternate cover test Correct Ans - 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 known as a phoria). Also called cross-cover test.
altitudinal scotoma Correct Ans - The joining and enlargement of a
nasal step visual field defect and an arcuate scooter to cause loss of the entire
upper or lower visual field.
, amblyopia Correct Ans - 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 Ans - The refractive state of an eye that is unable to
focus correctly due to a refractive error.
Amsler grid test Correct Ans - A test for determining the presence and
location of defects in the central portion of the visual field.
anatomy Correct Ans - The structure of an organism.
anesthetic Correct Ans - A drug that causes a temporary deadening of
a nerve, resulting in loss of feeling in the surrounding tissue.
angiogenesis Correct Ans - The formation of new blood vessels
angiography Correct Ans - A method of examining and recording size,
structure, and location of blood vessels in organ systems, using fluorescent
dyes.
anisocoria Correct Ans - A condition in which the pupils are of unequal
size.
anterior Correct Ans - The front part of a structure.
anterior chamber angle Correct Ans - The junction of the cornea and
the iris, from which aqueous humor leaves the eye. Also called filtration angle.
anterior chamber Correct Ans - 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 Ans - 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 Ans - The front of the eye; includes the
structures between the front surface of the cornea and the vitreous.
