FREE ABO Optics and Refraction Principles Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with a prescription of +6.00 D sphere is refracted at a vertex distance of 15 mm. If the patient's new glasses are fit with a vertex distance of 10 mm, what is the compensated lens power required to provide the same effective power at the new distance?

Accepted Answer

+6.19 D

Answer

Moving a plus lens closer to the eye results in a loss of effective plus power. To compensate for this, the power of the lens must be increased. The formula for vertex distance compensation is Fc = F / (1 - xF), where Fc is the compensated power, F is the original power, and x is the change in vertex distance in meters. In this case, F = +6.00 D and x = (15 mm - 10 mm) = 5 mm = 0.005 m. Fc = 6.00 / (1 - 0.005 * 6.00) = 6.00 / (1 - 0.03) = 6.00 / 0.97 ≈ +6.19 D.

Question 2

A patient looks 5 mm below the optical center of a lens with a power of -4.00 D in the vertical meridian. According to Prentice's Rule, what is the amount and direction of the induced prism?

Accepted Answer

2.0Δ Base Up

Answer

Prentice's Rule states that the prismatic effect (P) in prism diopters (Δ) is equal to the lens power (D) in diopters multiplied by the decentration (c) in centimeters. P = D x c. Here, D = -4.00 D and c = 5 mm = 0.5 cm. P = -4.00 * 0.5 = -2.0Δ. For a minus lens, the base of the prism is in the same direction as the decentration. Since the patient is looking down, the induced prism is Base Up.

Question 3

Which of the following optical principles correctly describes the correction for hyperopia?

Accepted Answer

A converging (convex) lens is used to move the focal point forward onto the retina.

Answer

In hyperopia (farsightedness), light entering the eye focuses at a point behind the retina. To correct this, a converging lens (convex or 'plus' lens) is used. This lens adds focusing power, bending the light rays more strongly to move the focal point forward so that it lands directly on the retina.

Question 4

During subjective refraction to refine astigmatism, a Jackson Cross Cylinder (JCC) is used. What is the primary function of this instrument?

Accepted Answer

To refine the cylinder axis and power.

Answer

The Jackson Cross Cylinder is a specialized lens used to fine-tune the correction for astigmatism. It helps the practitioner to accurately determine both the correct axis of the cylinder and the precise amount of cylindrical power needed by presenting the patient with two choices to determine which is clearer.

Question 5

According to Snell's Law, when a ray of light passes from a medium of lower refractive index (like air) to a medium of higher refractive index (like the cornea) at an oblique angle, the ray of light will:

Accepted Answer

Bend toward the normal.

Answer

Snell's Law (n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2)) describes how light refracts at the interface of two different media. When light enters a denser medium (higher refractive index n2 > n1), its speed decreases, causing it to bend toward the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.

ABO - American Board of Ophthalmology Practice Test

ABO - American Board of Ophthalmology Practice Test

FREE ABO Optics and Refraction Principles Questions and Answers