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