Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam

The phoropter is the instrument commonly utilized to assess refraction in an eye examination. It allows the eye care professional to determine an individual’s prescription for glasses or contact lenses by systematically presenting various lenses and measuring the patient’s responses. The adjustable lenses help in evaluating different refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, by allowing for precise adjustments to find the clearest vision for the patient.

The other instruments mentioned serve different purposes. A tonometer measures intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma. An ophthalmoscope is used for examining the interior of the eye, particularly the retina, for signs of disease or abnormalities. A spectrometer is involved in analyzing the properties of light but is not used in clinical refraction assessments. Thus, the phoropter is the essential tool for evaluating vision correction needs, making it the correct choice for assessing refraction.