Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

Which instrument is designed for the examiner to wear on their head while examining the back of the eye?

1. Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope

2. Slit lamp

3. Goldman tonometer

4. Optical coherence tomographer

The correct answer is: Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope

The binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is specifically designed for the examiner to wear on their head while examining the posterior segment of the eye, including the back of the eye. This instrument provides a three-dimensional view of the retina and the surrounding structures, which is crucial for diagnosing various ocular conditions. Its head-mounted design allows for hands-free operation, enabling the examiner to have both eyes free for binocular viewing, thus enhancing depth perception and the ability to assess the retinal details effectively. In contrast, the slit lamp is a stationary instrument that requires the patient to sit in front of it; it is not worn by the examiner. The Goldmann tonometer, used for measuring intraocular pressure, is also not worn but is typically mounted on a slit lamp or handheld. The optical coherence tomographer is a diagnostic tool that provides cross-sectional images of the retina but is likewise not worn by the examiner and requires the patient to look into it. Each of these tools plays an essential role in the field of optometry, but the binocular indirect ophthalmoscope stands out for its unique, head-mounted design.