Basic Medical/ Vision Terms

Question 1

Accommodation

Answer 1

The ability of the eye to focus from distance to near

Question 2

Ametropia

Answer 2

Condition in which, when accommodation is relaxed, parallel light rays entering the eye do not focus on the retina. (Ex: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism).

Also a non-specific term that means the patient has a refractive condition.

Question 3

Aphakia

Answer 3

Absence Of Crystalline Lens

When a cataract progresses to the degree that it interferes with vision, the crystalline lens can be surgically removed.

Question 4

Aqueous Humor

Answer 4

Clear fluid produced in the ciliary processes and fills the space from the posterior cornea to the anterior vitreous; maintains the intraocular pressure; nourishes the cornea, iris, and lens

Question 5

Asepsis

Answer 5

Practice to reduce/ eliminate contaminants (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) from entering the operative field in surgery or medicine to prevent infection

Question 6

Astigmatism

Answer 6

Image focused at two points, cornea longer in one meridian than another
• “football-shaped” cornea
• Different power of lens to correct each meridian

corrected by use of cylindrical eyeglasses or contact lenses (spherical or toric)

Question 7

Base Curve

Answer 7

Measurement of the back curvature of a lens

Question 8

Bifocal

Answer 8

Lens that provides both distance and near correction.

Question 9

Binocular Vision

Answer 9

Simultaneous use of both eyes.

The ability to maintain visual focus on an object with both eyes creating a single visual image.

Question 10

Biomicroscope

Answer 10

Instrument used for observing a fit of contact lenses, checking for foreign bodies in the eye and looking at all parts of the front of the eye including eyes, lids and lashes.

Question 11

Bulbar

Answer 11

Conjunctiva covering the eyeball that protects the sclera (white part of eye).

Question 12

Cataract

Answer 12

When crystalline lens gets hard or cloudy with age.

Is a clouding of the eye’s lens and is the leading cause of blindness.

Question 13

Chief Complaint

Answer 13

Patient’s reason for the office visit

Question 14

Concave Lenses

Answer 14

Lens that is thinner in the center and thicker at the edges; parallel light passing through this type of lens is diverged, or refracted, away from the midline. Also known as a minus lens

Question 15

Confrontation Fields

Answer 15

Technique used to screen for visual field defects using the fingers of the examiner

Patient looks directly at examiners eye or nose and testing each quadrant in the patient’s visual field by having them count the number of fingers the examiner are showing.

Question 16

Convex Lenses

Answer 16

A lens that is thicker in the center and thinner at the edges; parallel light rays passing through this type of lens are refracted by each surface to converge toward the midline behind the lens. Also known as a plus lens

Question 17

Diopter

Answer 17

Unit of refractive power; abbreviated with the letter “D”. Measure of how much an ophthalmic lens refracts or bends light that can be used to determine its power. (Ex: a one-diopter lens will focus light at one meter.)

Question 18

Disinfection

Answer 18

To destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.

Question 19

Edema

Answer 19

Swelling of tissues due to fluid influx

Question 20

Emmetropia

Answer 20

Image will focus on retina when accommodation is relaxed. No lenses needed 20/20 or “perfect vision”

Question 21

Fluorescein/ Fluorescein Sodium

Answer 21

Most commonly used ophthalmic dye which is available in liquid form or impregnated on dry, paper filter strips.

Dye used topically to evaluate corneal integrity and intravenously to evaluate blood vessel integrity. Tear film quality is best observed when a fluorescein drop is used.

Question 22

Fovea/ Fovea Centralis

Answer 22

Central (1.5 mm) area of the macula; responsible for the sharpest vision, fine discriminations and high visual acuity. The area of the macula that is used for daytime and color vision also the area of highest concentration of cone cells and no blood vessels.

Question 23

Fundus

Answer 23

Interior portion of eyeball that can be seen on ophthalmoscopy or photography. Includes the retina and optic disc.

Question 24

Glaucoma

Answer 24

Intraocular pressure disease. Group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve.

A group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in the vision loss and blindness. It occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises.

Question 25

Hyperopia/ Farsightedness

Answer 25

Image focused BEHIND retina, cornea too flat or eyes too short. Corrected with plus lenses.

Question 26

Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope/ Indirect Ophthalmoscope

Answer 26

An instrument that is worn on the examiners head and used to view the back of the eye. Used to take stereoscopic views of the fundus.

Question 27

Intraocular Pressure

Answer 27

Fluid pressure maintained in the eye by the aqueous humor; measured with a tonometer.

Question 28

IOP

Answer 28

Intraocular Pressure

Question 29

Keratometer

Answer 29

Instrument used to measure the corneal curvature

Question 30

Lensometer

Answer 30

Instrument used for determining the power of an eyeglass or contact lens. Measures back vertex power which includes sphere and cylinder power.

Question 31

Macula

Answer 31

Central portion of the retina surrounding the fovea; responsible for sharp clear central vision. Also for seeing detail.

Question 32

Macular Degeneration

Answer 32

Disease of the eye, involving loss of structure and function (deterioration) of the macula. Largest cause of irreversible blindness. Dry and wet types. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates. With wet macular degeneration, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina.

Question 33

Monocular

Answer 33

Use of only one eye

Question 34

Myopia/ Nearsightedness

Answer 34

Image focused IN FRONT of retina, eyes too long. Corrected with minus lenses.

Question 35

Ocular Adnexa

Answer 35

Part of the external part of the eye examination to rule out any abnormalities or ocular conditions in the adjacent structures of the eye (eyelids, lashes, eyebrows, lacrimal apparatus, tarsal plates, orbit, extraocular muscles and conjunctiva).

Question 36

Ophthalmoscope

Answer 36

An instrument used in examining the interior of the eye

Question 37

Palpebral

Answer 37

Conjunctiva that lines the inside of the eyelids

Question 38

Pantoscopic Angle or Tilt

Answer 38

The angle the frame front makes with the temples when viewed from the side; lower rims are closer to the face than the upper rims.

Question 39

PD

Answer 39

Pupillary distance

Question 40

Perimetry

Answer 40

The study of the visual fields

Question 41

Peripheral Vision

Answer 41

side vision

Question 42

Photophobia

Answer 42

Light Sensitive Symptom causing pain on viewing a light.

Question 43

Plus Lenses

Answer 43

A lens that CONVERGES light. Objects viewed through this lens appear larger/ magnified.

Question 44

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Answer 44

Clear plastic material used for rigid contact lenses; first material used after glass. Lacks oxygen permeability.

Question 45

Presbyopia

Answer 45

Loss of ability to see near due to lens losing ability to accommodate. Usually begins early 40s and requires readers.

Question 46

Prism

Answer 46

Used to correct patient’s eyes that are not aligned correctly. It is a lens that bends light.

Question 47

Pseudophakia

Answer 47

Term used for aphakic correction after a lens implant. Ex: IOL following cataract surgery) Replacing crystalline lens with an intraocular lens.

Question 48

What Is Pupillary Distance?

Answer 48

Distance between the centers of the pupil of each eye.

Question 49

Radiuscope

Answer 49

An instrument that measures the curvature of a contact lens.

Question 50

Refraction

Answer 50

Altering of the pathway of light as it passes from one medium to another

Question 51

Retinoscope

Answer 51

An instrument used to perform refraction. Will indicate refractive error when all motion in every direction is stopped when the light is moved across the pupil.

Question 52

Retroscopic Angle or Tilt

Answer 52

The angle the frame front makes with the frontal plane of the wearer’s face. When the lower rims are farther from the face than the upper rims

Question 53

Segment Height (Seg height)

Answer 53

Vertically measured distance from the lowest point on the lens or lens opening to the level of the top of the seg. Height of reading portion of a multi-focal lens (bifocal, trifocal, or progressive segment) as measured from the deepest part of the eyewire to a reference point, such as the lower eyelid (bifocals) or pupil center (progressive addition lenses). This measurement is taken in millimeters.

Question 54

Slit-Lamp Examination

Answer 54

Examination of the eye performed using a Biomicroscope.

Question 55

Sphincter

Answer 55

A ring-like band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural orifice

Question 56

Triage

Answer 56

System for sorting and assigning priorities for medical treatment based on the urgency of symptoms.

Question 57

Vertex Distance

Answer 57

Distance from the back surface of the lens to the front of the eye (cornea)

Question 58

What is an Optometrist? (O.D.)

Answer 58

Eye health care professionals state- licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.

Question 59

What is an Ophthalmologist? (M.D. or D.O.)

Answer 59

Physician doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eye, visual system, and in the treatment of eye disease and injury.

Question 60

Optician

Answer 60

An optician prepares and dispenses eyeglasses, lenses, or related optical devices upon prescription to the intended from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist. Also duplicates, measures, verifies, adapts the fit, and adjusts eyeglasses to the face. Opticians can grind lenses and shape them to fit an eyeglass frame.

Question 61

Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMPs)

Answer 61

Works with ophthalmologists and their patients. Job duties may include taking patient histories, administering tests and evaluations, taking eye measurements for the purpose of diagnosis, and performing a variety of clinical skills.

Question 62

Optometric Staff- Paraoptometric

Answer 62

Works under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of optometry. Job duties may include collecting patient data, administering routine and technical tests of the patient’s visual capabilities, and assisting in office management. The paraoptometric may assist the optometrist in providing primary patient care examination and treatment services, including, but not limited to, contact lenses, low vision, vision therapy and ophthalmic dispensing, and office management.

Question 63

What Entity Are Optometrist Licensed By?

Answer 63

The State

Question 64

Visual Acuity/ Snellen Fraction

Answer 64

Measure of the finest detail the eye can detect.

Question 65

Snellen Letters

Answer 65

Letters found on Snellen chart most often used to measure acuity at distance

Question 66

Snellen Fraction

Answer 66

= Testing distance over the Distance at which letter is standardized to be read ( Ex: 20/20) The numerator (or top number) of the fraction is the testing distance, which is typically 20 feet. The denominator (the bottom number) represents the distance at which that letter is supposed to be read. When you see the Snellen fraction 20/20, for example, it means that the eye reads at 20 feet the letter that is standardized to be read at 20 feet.

Question 67

Posterior Pole

Answer 67

Refers to the retina between the optic nerve and macular area

Question 68

Arcades

Answer 68

Normal pattern of retinal blood vessels as they leave the optic nerve head and arch around the macula

Question 69

Exudates

Answer 69

Protein or fatty fluid that leaks from blood vessels into retinal tissue. Hard exudates (yellow spots seen in the retina) and soft exudates (pale yellow or white areas with ill-defined edges) Hard is less fluid/more dense. Soft is fluffy looking also called cotton wool spots.

Question 70

Cotton Wool Spots

Answer 70

Fluffy-looking white deposits (exudates) resembling small tufts of cotton within the retinal nerve fiber layer that represent small patches of retina that have lost their blood supply from vessel obstruction.

Question 71

Nevus

Answer 71

A mole; small and flat usually pigmented area; benign tumor made of specific cells (called nevus cells) found in skin and eye tissue

Question 72

Pachymetry

Answer 72

Measures the thickness of the cornea

Question 73

sphygmomanometer

Answer 73

Measures blood pressure along with stethoscope. Instrument often attached to an inflatable air-bladder cuff and used along with a stethoscope, for measuring blood pressure in an artery.

Question 74

Refractive Status

Answer 74

Describes how light rays that enter the eye are focused

Question 75

Non-Compliant Patient

Answer 75

A patient who does not adhere to the prescribed regimen of care and follow-up. Most common reason patients stop wearing contact lenses.

Question 76

Alternating Esotropia

Answer 76

The patient fixates with only one eye while the other eye turns in.

Question 77

What does Visual Field (VF) Testing Determine?

Answer 77

Functional vision (how well you see day to day) also the area of space visible to the eye

Question 78

Systemic Diseases

Answer 78

Conditions that affect the whole body

Question 79

Objective Test

Answer 79

Test that DOES NOT require responses from the patient

Question 80

Subjective Test

Answer 80

Test that DOES require responses from the patient.

Question 81

Amsler Grid

Answer 81

Simple square containing a grid pattern and a dot in the middle. Can help detect early signs of retinal disease and monitor changes in vision. At home versions should be looked at once a week.

Question 82

Aberrometry

Answer 82

Non-invasive test that allows studying the optical quality of the visual system. It assesses for vision aberrations (any deviation in normal vision). An aberration results in light being spread out over some region of space rather than being focused to a point.

Question 83

Low Vision

Answer 83

Vision loss that cannot be corrected by medical or surgical treatments or conventional eyeglasses or contacts. Can include blind spots, poor night vision and blurry sight. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes.

Question 84

What does O.D stand for?

Answer 84

Oculus Dexter (right eye)

Question 85

What does O.S stand for?

Answer 85

Oculus Sinister ( Left eye)

Question 86

Monovison

Answer 86

Corrects one eye for distance and other eye for near. Can be used to correct presbyopia.

Question 87

Aspheric Lens

Answer 87

Provides a wider field of vision.

Question 88

Spherical Lens

Answer 88

Has same power in all areas of the lens.

Question 89

What is the amount one prism diopter will bend a ray of light?

Answer 89

1 cm for every 1 meter of distance.

Question 90

What is the smallest unit of lens measure?

Answer 90

0.25 D (diopters)

Question 91

Plano

Answer 91

Lens with no power.

Question 92

What are the five “O” Eye Specalists?

Answer 92

1.) Ophthalmologist 2.) Optometrist 3.) Optician 4.) Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP) 5.) Optometric Staff- Paraoptometric

Question 93

What Is The Vision Pathway?

Answer 93

1) light rays are refracted (bended) & focused on pupil as they enter through cornea. Muscles in iris contract / relax controlling amount of light entering pupil 2) lens refracts light more so focused on retina 3) photoreceptors in retina respond to energy from light & generate action potentials = sent along optic nerve to brain for processing

Question 94

Adduction

Answer 94

Turning eye towards nose.

Question 95

Abduction

Answer 95

Turning eye away from nose.

Question 96

What is a meridian of the eye?

Answer 96

Considering the center of the pupil as a pole, imaginary lines are drawn around the eyeball that is intersected at the poles at both anterior and posterior positions, which are called the meridians of the eye.

Question 97

Pinhole Visual Acuity Test

Answer 97

Test is helpful in differentiating whether the sub-normal visual acuity is due to uncorrected refractive errors or eye disease. The pinhole removes scattered light and helps the patient focus more clearly which will allow them to read the Snellen chart more easily.

Question 98

Photoablation

Answer 98

The procedure using ultraviolet radiation from a laser to remove tissue.

Question 99

Cycloplegia

Answer 99

A paralysis of the ciliary muscle so accommodation can't occur.

Question 100

Ciliary Muscle

Answer 100

Controls the focusing power of the eye by changing the shape of the crystalline lens.

Question 101

Glaucoma Surgery

Answer 101

Numerous different surgeries that facilitate the escape of excess aqueous humor from the eye to lower the intraocular pressure and a few that lower IOP by decreasing the production of aqueous humor.