NBEO Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NBEO facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is LEAST likely to contribute to the visual fatigue and asthenopia experienced by users of computer displays? → Ultraviolet radiation
2. A 7-year-old patient has acute streptococcal erysipelas involving the eyelids. Which of the following is the best oral medication for this patient? → Penicillin V
3. Which test is used to distinguish a functional (non-organic) visual field loss from a true organic field defect? → Confrontation testing with varying distances showing a tubular (non-expanding) field
4. What is the hallmark OCT finding in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)? → Subretinal fluid beneath the neurosensory retina
5. Which peripheral retinal degeneration is considered a significant risk factor for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment? → Lattice degeneration
6. Which multifocal contact lens design presents both distance and near focal points to the retina simultaneously regardless of gaze direction? → Simultaneous vision concentric ring design
7. Which pattern on automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field) is most characteristic of glaucomatous damage? → Superior arcuate scotoma respecting the horizontal midline
8. A patient has a right homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing. Where is the lesion most likely located? → Left occipital lobe
9. Which visual field defect is produced by a lesion at the optic chiasm? → Bitemporal hemianopia
10. Which cranial nerve palsy causes a patient to tilt their head away from the affected side to eliminate diplopia? → CN IV (trochlear)
11. What is the most common intracranial cause of a third nerve (CN III) palsy with pupil involvement? → Posterior communicating artery aneurysm
12. When evaluating a soft contact lens fit, which finding best indicates an optimal fit? → Full corneal coverage, good centration, and 0.5–1 mm movement with blink
13. Which pupillary finding is associated with Horner syndrome? → Miosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis
14. Which finding on fundus examination is MOST characteristic of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)? → Microaneurysms
15. A head tilt toward the left shoulder is MOST likely due to a paresis of the right: → superior oblique
16. Which of the following clinical findings is most useful for differentiating allergic conjunctivitis from viral conjunctivitis? → Patient complaint of significant itching
17. A flame-shaped hemorrhage in the nerve fiber layer is most commonly associated with which condition? → Hypertensive retinopathy
18. Which hereditary optic neuropathy causes bilateral, painless, central vision loss in young males and is associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations? → Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
19. Which parameter describes the radius of curvature of the posterior surface of a contact lens? → Base curve radius
20. Which 2 of the following are most appropriate in the initial management of an adult male who is experiencing an acute anaphylactic reaction? → Administer systemic epinephrine.
21. Cavernous sinus syndrome can cause palsies of all of the following cranial nerves EXCEPT which one? → CN II (optic nerve)
22. Which FDA contact lens group is characterized by both high water content and ionic properties, making it most susceptible to protein deposits? → Group IV
23. The AREDS2 formula for dry AMD supplementation includes which two carotenoids? → Lutein and zeaxanthin
24. What are the three layers of the eye? → Fibrous (sclera/cornea), vascular (uvea: iris/ciliary body/choroid), and neural (retina)
25. Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis typically presents with which characteristic fundus finding? → Active white lesion adjacent to an old pigmented chorioretinal scar ('headlight in fog')
26. In a patient with a trochlear nerve (CN IV) palsy, which head position reliably worsens vertical diplopia? → Ipsilateral head tilt
27. Which finding differentiates a full-thickness macular hole from a lamellar macular hole on OCT? → Full-thickness hole shows complete absence of retinal tissue through all layers
28. Contact lens-induced acute red eye (CLARE) is most commonly associated with colonization by which category of organism? → Gram-negative bacteria
29. According to the FDA classification system, a soft contact lens with water content at or above what percentage is classified as 'high water content'? → 50%
30. Which retinal layer contains the photoreceptor cell bodies? → Outer nuclear layer