Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Which test can be used to differentiate visual loss caused by refractive errors versus visual loss caused by diseases of the eye?

1. Swinging flashlight test

2. Schirmer's test

3. Pinhole disc

4. Slit lamp examination

The correct answer is: Pinhole disc

The Pinhole disc test can be used to differentiate visual loss caused by refractive errors versus visual loss caused by diseases of the eye. When a patient looks through the pinholes of the pinhole disc, it reduces the size of the aperture through which light enters the eye, thus minimizing the effects of refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. If the patient's vision improves with the pinhole disc, it suggests that the visual loss is likely due to refractive errors rather than an underlying eye disease. The other options are not used to differentiate visual loss caused by refractive errors versus visual loss caused by eye diseases: A. Swinging flashlight test is used to assess for a relative afferent pupillary defect. B. Schirmer's test is used to measure tear production for the evaluation of dry eye syndrome. D. Slit lamp examination is used to examine the anterior segment and posterior segment of the eye for various eye conditions but is not specifically used to differentiate visual loss caused by refractive errors versus eye diseases.