Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

Which of the following visual field defects indicates significant optic nerve pathology?

1. Color vision deficiency

2. Excessive glare sensitivity

3. Arcuate scotoma

4. Night vision improvement

The correct answer is: Arcuate scotoma

The presence of an arcuate scotoma is significant in indicating optic nerve pathology. An arcuate scotoma is a specific type of visual field defect that appears as a defect following the curvature of the nasal boundary of the visual field. This pattern is commonly associated with damage to the nerve fibers that conduct visual information from the retina to the brain, particularly those originating from the optic nerve. In the context of optic nerve pathology, this condition often points to issues such as glaucomatous damage or other optic nerve diseases where the nerve fibers are compromised. As the optic nerve or its fibers are affected, the visual field shows specific predictable defects like the arcuate scotoma, making it a critical sign in clinical assessments. The other options, while they may indicate various visual or retinal issues, do not directly correlate with significant structural optic nerve damage. Color vision deficiency may indicate retinal or optic nerve involvement but is not specific to significant pathology as seen in arcuate scotomas. Excessive glare sensitivity is more related to lens opacities or retinal issues rather than direct optic nerve pathology. Night vision improvement does not typically indicate any specific defect linked to optic nerve health and is usually associated with changes in rod function or retinal adaptation. Therefore, when considering