Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What is glare testing used for after cataract surgery?

1. Assessing post-operative subjective glare

2. Measuring intraocular pressure

3. Checking visual acuity

4. Identifying refractive errors

The correct answer is: Assessing post-operative subjective glare

Glare testing is specifically utilized after cataract surgery to assess post-operative subjective glare. Following cataract surgery, patients often report sensitivity to light, particularly in bright environments or when exposed to glare from headlights or sunlight. This phenomenon can be attributed to residual issues related to the clarity of the intraocular lens or other changes in the eye's refractive properties post-surgery. By conducting glare testing, clinicians can evaluate how well a patient's visual system copes with bright light sources, which is an important factor in determining the overall success of the cataract procedure and the patient’s visual satisfaction. Subjective glare assessments provide valuable feedback from the patient about their experiences and perceptions regarding light sensitivity, thereby assisting healthcare providers in deciding on potential further interventions or patient education regarding dealing with glare post-surgery. Other options, such as measuring intraocular pressure, checking visual acuity, and identifying refractive errors, serve different purposes in the post-operative evaluation process and do not specifically focus on assessing the glare sensitivity that might arise after cataract surgery.