Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What does metamorphopsia refer to in the context of visual disturbances?

1. Inability to distinguish colors

2. Perception of distorted images

3. Complete loss of vision

4. Visual hallucinations

The correct answer is: Perception of distorted images

Metamorphopsia specifically refers to the perception of distorted images, which is why this choice is the correct answer. This visual disturbance typically occurs in conditions affecting the retina or the brain, particularly in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, or macular edema. Patients may experience straight lines appearing wavy or bent, and the sizes of objects may seem altered. This condition highlights how the brain interprets visual information, demonstrating that even if the eye captures the image, the way it is processed can lead to significant perceptions of distortion. The other options describe different types of visual disturbances but do not apply to metamorphopsia. Inability to distinguish colors relates to color vision deficiencies, complete loss of vision pertains to blindness, and visual hallucinations involve perceiving nonexistent stimuli, all of which are distinct from the phenomenon of metamorphopsia.