AHPC Licensure Examination — Optometry

Sample Optometry practice questions

Try these 12 questions from different topics. Open "Show answer" to check yourself and read the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Refraction & Visual Optics

   Which visual complaint is most characteristic of uncorrected myopia?

   1. A.Only colours disappear
   2. B.Distant objects are blurred while near vision may be clearer
   3. C.Near objects are always blurred first after age 40
   4. D.Vision improves when the retina is not reached by light
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Distant objects are blurred while near vision may be clearer

   In myopia, optical focus falls in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed, producing blurred distance vision.

2. Question 2 · Ocular Disease & Urgent Referral

   A patient reports sudden painless loss of vision in one eye. What is the safest response?

   1. A.Book routine refraction next year
   2. B.Recommend cosmetic lenses
   3. C.Arrange urgent ophthalmic or emergency assessment
   4. D.Reassure without examining or referring
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Arrange urgent ophthalmic or emergency assessment

   Sudden monocular vision loss may represent a time-critical retinal, vascular or neurological emergency.

3. Question 3 · Integrated Eye Care

   Why is regular retinal assessment important for people with diabetes?

   1. A.Diabetes affects only the lens colour
   2. B.Normal distance vision excludes retinal disease
   3. C.Retinal monitoring is needed only after blindness
   4. D.Diabetic retinopathy may progress before the person notices major visual symptoms
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Diabetic retinopathy may progress before the person notices major visual symptoms

   Early detection and treatment can reduce avoidable visual loss from diabetic retinopathy.

4. Question 4 · Ocular Anatomy & Physiology

   The structure that provides most of the eye's refractive power is the:

   1. A.Crystalline lens, which changes shape during focusing
   2. B.Cornea
   3. C.Vitreous humour
   4. D.Retina
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Cornea

   The cornea provides about two-thirds (≈43 D) of the eye's total power.

5. Question 5 · Geometric & Ophthalmic Optics

   The focal length of a +2.50 D lens is:

   1. A.40 cm
   2. B.2.5 metres
   3. C.25 cm
   4. D.4 cm
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 40 cm

   f = 1/F = 1/2.5 = 0.4 m.

6. Question 6 · Ocular Pharmacology

   Tropicamide 1% eye drops are used mainly for:

   1. A.Long-lasting cycloplegia in young children with squint
   2. B.Lowering intraocular pressure
   3. C.Treating bacterial conjunctivitis
   4. D.Short-acting pupil dilation for fundus examination
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Short-acting pupil dilation for fundus examination

   Effects last about 4–6 hours; it is a weak cycloplegic.

7. Question 7 · Binocular Vision & Orthoptics

   The Hirschberg test assesses ocular alignment by observing:

   1. A.How the pupils react to a bright light in each eye
   2. B.Colour vision
   3. C.The position of the corneal light reflex in each eye
   4. D.The red reflex only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The position of the corneal light reflex in each eye

   A displaced reflex suggests a manifest deviation (tropia).

8. Question 8 · Contact Lenses

   Silicone hydrogel soft lenses differ from conventional hydrogels mainly by having:

   1. A.Much lower water content and no oxygen permeability
   2. B.A hard, rigid material
   3. C.No need for cleaning
   4. D.Much higher oxygen transmissibility
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Much higher oxygen transmissibility

   Higher Dk/t reduces hypoxic complications such as neovascularisation.

9. Question 9 · Paediatric Optometry

   Visual acuity in a preverbal infant can be estimated with:

   1. A.Preferential looking tests
   2. B.A standard Snellen chart read aloud
   3. C.The Ishihara test
   4. D.Applanation tonometry
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Preferential looking tests

   Infants look preferentially at a patterned target rather than a plain one.

10. Question 10 · Low Vision & Rehabilitation

    By the WHO definition, low vision is best-corrected acuity in the better eye of:

    1. A.Better than 6/6 with spectacles or contact lenses
    2. B.Exactly 6/9
    3. C.Worse than 6/18 down to light perception
    4. D.No light perception only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Worse than 6/18 down to light perception

    These patients may still benefit from low vision rehabilitation.

11. Question 11 · Spectacle Dispensing

    The pupillary distance is measured mainly to:

    1. A.Choose the colour of the spectacle frame
    2. B.Measure intraocular pressure
    3. C.Decide the lens material
    4. D.Centre the lenses in front of the pupils
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Centre the lenses in front of the pupils

    Incorrect centration induces unwanted prism.

12. Question 12 · Anterior Segment & External Eye Disease

    A pterygium is distinguished from a pinguecula because a pterygium:

    1. A.Stays on the conjunctiva and never reaches the cornea
    2. B.Grows onto the cornea
    3. C.Is always painful
    4. D.Occurs only in children
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Grows onto the cornea

    Both are linked to UV and dust exposure, common in Ghana; sunglasses and hats help prevent them.