NOCE Spectacle Dispensing Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient returns complaining their new glasses cause the floor to appear tilted and "bowed." The prescription and pupillary distance measurements have been verified as correct. Which of the following frame adjustments is most likely to resolve this complaint?

Accepted Answer

Increase the pantoscopic tilt.

Answer

The sensation of a tilted or bowed floor, especially with new prescriptions or progressive lenses, is often caused by how the lenses are angled in front of the eyes. Increasing the pantoscopic tilt (angling the bottom of the lenses closer to the cheeks) can better align the optical axis with the eye's natural visual axis when looking down, often reducing this perceptual distortion.

Question 2

When dispensing new polarized sunglasses, what is the most accurate explanation of their primary benefit to the patient?

Accepted Answer

They reduce blinding glare from horizontal surfaces like water and pavement.

Answer

The primary and unique function of polarized lenses is to filter out horizontally polarized light. This type of light is created when sunlight reflects off flat surfaces, causing intense, blinding glare. While many polarized lenses also offer UV protection, and reducing glare can make colors seem more vivid, their main purpose is glare elimination.

Question 3

An optician is fitting a patient with a high-wrap sports frame that will have a prescription. To ensure the laboratory can accurately compensate the prescription for the frame's curvature, which measurement is most critical to provide in addition to the PD and fitting height?

Accepted Answer

Face form angle

Answer

A high-wrap or 'face form' angle induces power changes and prismatic effects that are not present when viewing through a flatter frame. The laboratory must know the specific face form angle to recalculate the prescription, compensating for these effects to provide clear, comfortable vision.

Question 4

A long-time single-vision wearer is trying their first pair of progressive addition lenses and complains of peripheral distortion and a "swimming" sensation when they turn their head. What is the most appropriate first step for the optician?

Accepted Answer

Re-verify the monocular PDs and fitting heights are correctly positioned in the frame.

Answer

While adaptation issues are common, the first and most crucial step is to rule out measurement error. Incorrect monocular pupillary distances or fitting heights are a frequent cause of non-tolerance in progressive lenses, leading to the exact symptoms described. Verifying these measurements should always precede any discussion of lens design changes or adaptation time.

Question 5

When adjusting a zyl (cellulose acetate) frame that is fitting too wide for the patient, what is the proper procedure?

Accepted Answer

Heat the bridge and gently push inward to narrow the fit.

Answer

Cellulose acetate must be warmed to become pliable for adjustments. To narrow the overall fit of the frame front, the bridge should be gently heated with a frame warmer and then pushed inward, effectively decreasing the distance between the lenses and temples. Adjusting without heat will likely break the frame.

NOCE - National Opticianry Competency Examination Practice Test

NOCE - National Opticianry Competency Examination Practice Test

NOCE Spectacle Dispensing Procedures Questions and Answers