AOA Low Vision and Geriatric Optometry

Question 1

Legal blindness in the United States is defined as best-corrected visual acuity of:

Accepted Answer

20/200 or worse in the better eye, or visual field ≤20°

Answer

US legal blindness is BCVA ≤20/200 in the better-seeing eye OR a remaining visual field of ≤20° diameter (central island or tunnel vision).

Question 2

The most common cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans over age 65 is:

Accepted Answer

Age-related macular degeneration

Answer

AMD is the leading cause of irreversible (non-correctable) vision loss in adults over 65 in the United States, primarily affecting central vision.

Question 3

When prescribing reading glasses for a presbyopic patient in their 70s, the optometrist should expect the full near add to be approximately:

Accepted Answer

+2.50 to +3.00 D for a 40 cm working distance

Answer

By the mid-60s most patients have lost all functional accommodation; a +2.50 D add is needed for the standard 40 cm reading distance, potentially adjusted for the patient's preferred working distance.

Question 4

Contrast sensitivity testing is important in geriatric optometry because:

Accepted Answer

It detects functional vision loss not captured by Snellen acuity

Answer

Contrast sensitivity (CS) decline is common in aging and early cataracts/AMD and can significantly impair functional vision even when Snellen acuity is near-normal.

Question 5

Which optical low vision device provides the highest magnification but requires the shortest working distance?

Accepted Answer

High-plus microscopic spectacles

Answer

High-plus microscopic spectacle lenses (e.g., +20D) provide high magnification but require very short working distances (5 cm for +20D), limiting their practical use.

AOA - American Optometric Association Practice Test

AOA - American Optometric Association Practice Test

AOA Low Vision and Geriatric Optometry