Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What are three possible causes of visual field artifacts?

1. Media opacities, incorrect trial lens power, prominent brow

2. Low contrast sensitivity, excessive light, comfortable posture

3. Fatigue, anxiety, emotional distress

4. Pupil dilation, poor lighting, lack of focus

The correct answer is: Media opacities, incorrect trial lens power, prominent brow

Visual field artifacts are distortions or inaccuracies in the results of visual field tests that can impact the assessment of an individual's visual function. The correct answer highlights three specific factors that can lead to such artifacts: media opacities, incorrect trial lens power, and a prominent brow. Media opacities refer to any obstruction within the optical media of the eye, such as cataracts or corneal scarring, that can interfere with light transmission. When the clarity of the optical path is compromised, it can lead to misleading visual field results, as the testing equipment may respond inaccurately to the perceived stimuli. Incorrect trial lens power pertains to the use of lenses that do not accurately correct for a patient’s refractive error during the test. Utilizing an inappropriate lens can affect how visual stimuli are perceived during the test, thereby producing unreliable results. An optimal lens power is crucial for ensuring that the participant can respond accurately to the test stimuli. A prominent brow can create a physical obstruction to visual stimuli during perimetry testing. If the brow obstructs the participant's view of the testing device, it can result in falsely diminished responses from the areas of the visual field being tested. This anatomical feature can inadvertently impact how visual stimuli are registered, leading to artifacts in the