ABO Low Vision & Rehabilitation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with 20/160 BCVA wants to read a medicine label with 1M print. Using the Kestenbaum rule, what approximate add power is indicated?
- 8D (Correct answer)
- 4D
- 16D
- 2D
Correct answer: 8D
The Kestenbaum rule estimates the required add as 1 / (distance acuity in decimal); 20/160 = 0.125 decimal, so 1/0.125 = 8D.
Question 2: Which tint color is most commonly recommended to enhance contrast and reduce glare for patients with albinism or significant photophobia?
- Blue tint
- Amber or yellow-brown tint (Correct answer)
- Green tint
- Rose tint
Correct answer: Amber or yellow-brown tint
Amber/yellow-brown tints filter short wavelengths that scatter most in the eye, reducing glare and increasing contrast, which is particularly beneficial for photophobic patients such as those with albinism.
Question 3: A low vision patient is trained in 'scanning' using a handheld telescope. The direction of telescope movement to locate an object to the patient's right should be:
- Move the telescope to the left (opposite direction) because the image is inverted
- Move the telescope to the right, in the same direction as the target (Correct answer)
- Rotate the telescope clockwise regardless of target position
- Keep the telescope stationary and rotate the head
Correct answer: Move the telescope to the right, in the same direction as the target
An astronomical (inverting) telescope reverses image direction, but a Galilean (erect-image) telescope used for spotting moves in the same direction as the target; for clinical training, patients learn to move toward the target.
Question 4: Which of the following describes the role of the orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist in the low vision rehabilitation team?
- Prescribing optical magnifiers and spectacle aids
- Training patients to travel safely using cane techniques, dog guides, and environmental cues (Correct answer)
- Performing refraction and visual field testing
- Providing psychological counseling for vision loss adjustment
Correct answer: Training patients to travel safely using cane techniques, dog guides, and environmental cues
O&M specialists train individuals with visual impairment to move safely and independently through environments using systematic techniques including long cane use, sighted guide, and environmental awareness.
Question 5: A patient with advanced glaucoma has a small central island of vision. Which reading aid configuration would best serve this patient's tubular visual field?
- High-plus add with large print and wide spacing to keep text within the narrow field
- A reverse telescope to minify the image and fit more text in the remaining field (Correct answer)
- Maximum optical magnification to enlarge each letter
- CCTV set to the highest magnification available
Correct answer: A reverse telescope to minify the image and fit more text in the remaining field
A reverse (minifying) telescope reduces image size, allowing more of the reading environment to fall within the patient's small central island — the opposite strategy from a magnifier.
Question 6: According to the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework used in low vision rehabilitation, 'difficulty reading a newspaper despite wearing glasses' is classified at which level?
- Body structure/function impairment
- Activity limitation (Correct answer)
- Participation restriction
- Environmental barrier
Correct answer: Activity limitation
In the ICF framework, difficulty performing a specific task (reading a newspaper) represents an activity limitation, distinct from the underlying impairment (reduced acuity) or participation restriction (not attending book club).
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum print size goal for functional reading tasks when prescribing near magnification for a low vision patient?
- 0.4M (approximately 20/10 equivalent)
- 1M print (approximately 20/50 equivalent at 40 cm) (Correct answer)
- 2M print (approximately 20/100 equivalent at 40 cm)
- 0.8M print (approximately 20/40 equivalent at 40 cm)
Correct answer: 1M print (approximately 20/50 equivalent at 40 cm)
Standard newspaper and most reading material is approximately 1M print; achieving comfortable, fluent reading at 1M is the conventional functional literacy goal in low vision rehabilitation.
ABO Low Vision & Rehabilitation 5
A patient with 20/160 BCVA wants to read a medicine label with 1M print.
Using the Kestenbaum rule, what approximate add power is indicated?