Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

What is the purpose of Retinoscopy?

1. Measuring distance acuity

2. Assessing refractive power

3. Evaluating eye alignment

4. Breaking down floaters

The correct answer is: Assessing refractive power

The purpose of retinoscopy is to assess the refractive power of the eye. This technique involves shining a light into the eye and observing the reflection off the retina, which helps in determining the correct prescription for glasses or contact lenses. By observing how the light reflects and moves, an eye care practitioner can evaluate whether the eye is focusing light correctly or if there is a refractive error present, such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Measuring distance acuity typically involves other tests specifically aimed at determining how well a person can see at a distance, rather than assessing refractive errors directly. Evaluating eye alignment focuses on the coordination between the eyes and how they work together, which is not the primary function of retinoscopy. Breaking down floaters concerns observations related to the vitreous humor in the eye and is unrelated to the refractive assessment that retinoscopy provides.