Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2024

What is commonly used to assess the clarity of the lens during an eye examination?

1. Slit lamp

2. Phoropter

3. Keratometer

4. Tonometry

The correct answer is: Slit lamp

The slit lamp is indeed the correct choice for assessing the clarity of the lens during an eye examination. This instrument combines a microscope with a high-intensity light source, allowing the examiner to visualize the structures of the eye, including the cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens, in detail. The slit lamp provides a magnified view, enabling the detection of opacities or cataracts in the lens, which can affect vision. In contrast, the other options have specific uses that do not pertain to assessing lens clarity. The phoropter is primarily used to measure refractive error and determine the appropriate prescription for corrective lenses. A keratometer is utilized to measure the curvature of the cornea, which is important for fitting contact lenses or evaluating conditions like keratoconus. Tonometry measures intraocular pressure to assess for conditions such as glaucoma but does not evaluate the clarity of the lens itself.