CPO Study Guide With Correct Answers (2023/2024)
Optometrist
State-licensed independent primary health care provider
Eye health & vision exams, diagnosis & treatment of eye disease & vision disorders, detection of
general health problems, prescribing glasses & contacts, low vision rehab & therapy, medications, and
counseling patients on surgical options
Ophthalmologist
Physician that specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eye and visual system and in the
treatment of eye disease and injury
Optician
Prepares and dispenses eyeglasses, lenses, or related optical devices upon prescription. Duplicates,
measures, verifies, adapts fit, and adjusts eyeglasses to face. Can grind lenses
Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
Work with ophthalmologists- collect patient data, administer tests, take eye measurements. Does not
make surgical or medical diagnoses- not licensed.
Paraoptometric
Works under direct supervision of a licensed doctor of optometry. Collects patient data, administers
tests, and assists in office management. May assist with patient care examinations in contact lens, low
vision, vision therapy, dispensing, and office management.
Anterior Chamber
Area inside the eye, behind the cornea, and in front of the iris. This area is filled with clear, watery
fluid called aqueous humor
Aqueous Humor
Clear, watery fluid produced by the ciliary body. It fills the front part of the posterior chamber and the
entire anterior chamber. Provides nutrients for the lens and posterior cornea and carries away waste
products. It is also responsible for maintaining the intraocular pressure
Choroid
Consists primarily of blood vessels that nourish the retina so that it can continue to function.
Sandwiched between the sclera and the retina
Ciliary Muscle
Muscle inside of the eyeball that alters the shape of the crystalline lens. Has direct control over the
focusing ability of the eye.
Conjunctiva
Clear, cellophane-like tissue that covers the sclera and the inside surface of the eyelids.
Palpebral Conjunctiva
Lines the lids
, Bulbar Conjunctiva
Covers the sclera
Accommodation
The focusing ability of the eye (lens & ciliary muscle)
Cornea
Clear, transparent tissue that is located on the vert front portion of the eye. Most power refractive
media of the eye- provides most of the ability to focus light. Curvature somewhat greater than the
rest of the orb- slight furrow where it joins sclera (limbus) Cornea is avascular
5 Layers of the Cornea
From front to back:
Epithelium
Bowman's Layer
Stroma
Descemet's Membrane
Endothelium
Crystalline Lens
Resiliant, transparent structure in the eyeProvides focusing power to the eye. Allows adjustment of
the ye to focus from distance objects to near objects. Second most powerful refractive medium
Extraocular Muscles
6 muscles attached to the sclera from the bones surround the eye that aim the eyes in the direction
we look
Medial Rectus
Most powerful- only action is to turn the eye toward the nose (adduction)
Inferior Rectus
Primary action is to turn the eye downward (depression) Also adducts the eye. Can rotate the top of
the eye toward the temple and the bottom of the eye toward the nose
Lateral Rectus
Only action is to move the eye away from the nose (abduction)
Superior Rectus
Primary action is to move the eye upward (elevation) Also abducts the eye. Can rotate the top of the
eye toward the nose and the bottom of the eye toward the temple (intorsion)
Superior Oblique
Primary action is depression. It is also responsible for abduction and intorsion
Optometrist
State-licensed independent primary health care provider
Eye health & vision exams, diagnosis & treatment of eye disease & vision disorders, detection of
general health problems, prescribing glasses & contacts, low vision rehab & therapy, medications, and
counseling patients on surgical options
Ophthalmologist
Physician that specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eye and visual system and in the
treatment of eye disease and injury
Optician
Prepares and dispenses eyeglasses, lenses, or related optical devices upon prescription. Duplicates,
measures, verifies, adapts fit, and adjusts eyeglasses to face. Can grind lenses
Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
Work with ophthalmologists- collect patient data, administer tests, take eye measurements. Does not
make surgical or medical diagnoses- not licensed.
Paraoptometric
Works under direct supervision of a licensed doctor of optometry. Collects patient data, administers
tests, and assists in office management. May assist with patient care examinations in contact lens, low
vision, vision therapy, dispensing, and office management.
Anterior Chamber
Area inside the eye, behind the cornea, and in front of the iris. This area is filled with clear, watery
fluid called aqueous humor
Aqueous Humor
Clear, watery fluid produced by the ciliary body. It fills the front part of the posterior chamber and the
entire anterior chamber. Provides nutrients for the lens and posterior cornea and carries away waste
products. It is also responsible for maintaining the intraocular pressure
Choroid
Consists primarily of blood vessels that nourish the retina so that it can continue to function.
Sandwiched between the sclera and the retina
Ciliary Muscle
Muscle inside of the eyeball that alters the shape of the crystalline lens. Has direct control over the
focusing ability of the eye.
Conjunctiva
Clear, cellophane-like tissue that covers the sclera and the inside surface of the eyelids.
Palpebral Conjunctiva
Lines the lids
, Bulbar Conjunctiva
Covers the sclera
Accommodation
The focusing ability of the eye (lens & ciliary muscle)
Cornea
Clear, transparent tissue that is located on the vert front portion of the eye. Most power refractive
media of the eye- provides most of the ability to focus light. Curvature somewhat greater than the
rest of the orb- slight furrow where it joins sclera (limbus) Cornea is avascular
5 Layers of the Cornea
From front to back:
Epithelium
Bowman's Layer
Stroma
Descemet's Membrane
Endothelium
Crystalline Lens
Resiliant, transparent structure in the eyeProvides focusing power to the eye. Allows adjustment of
the ye to focus from distance objects to near objects. Second most powerful refractive medium
Extraocular Muscles
6 muscles attached to the sclera from the bones surround the eye that aim the eyes in the direction
we look
Medial Rectus
Most powerful- only action is to turn the eye toward the nose (adduction)
Inferior Rectus
Primary action is to turn the eye downward (depression) Also adducts the eye. Can rotate the top of
the eye toward the temple and the bottom of the eye toward the nose
Lateral Rectus
Only action is to move the eye away from the nose (abduction)
Superior Rectus
Primary action is to move the eye upward (elevation) Also abducts the eye. Can rotate the top of the
eye toward the nose and the bottom of the eye toward the temple (intorsion)
Superior Oblique
Primary action is depression. It is also responsible for abduction and intorsion
