Study Materials
Select a category to review comprehensive study material for the COA certification exam.
History and Documentation
Chief complaint, history of present illness, ocular and medical history, medications and allergies, and accurate charting in the medical record.
General Medical Knowledge
Ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic disease and the eye, ocular emergencies, and basic medical knowledge for the clinic.
Ophthalmic Patient Services and Education
Patient communication and education, assisting patients with special needs, and delivering clinical services professionally.
Visual Assessment
Distance and near acuity, pinhole testing, and acuity assessment across ages and abilities.
Pupil Assessment
Pupil size, shape, and reactivity — direct and consensual response, swinging-flashlight test, and afferent pupillary defects.
Tonometry
Intraocular pressure measurement — applanation, rebound, and non-contact methods.
Pharmacology
Diagnostic and therapeutic medications, instillation technique, and side effects.
Visual Field Testing
Confrontation screening and automated perimetry — technique and artifacts.
Refractometry
Retinoscopy, subjective refinement, and refractometry technique.
Ophthalmic Imaging
OCT, fundus photography, and angiography — purpose and patient prep.
Medical Ethics, Legal, and Regulatory Issues
HIPAA and confidentiality, scope of practice, informed consent, and professional conduct.
Ocular Motility Testing
Extraocular muscles, cover testing, and cardinal positions of gaze.
Lensometry
Neutralizing spectacle prescriptions — sphere, cylinder, axis, add, and prism on the lensometer.
Biometry
Axial length measurement and IOL-calculation support — optical and ultrasound A-scan technique.
Supplemental Testing
Color vision, stereopsis, glare and contrast sensitivity, pachymetry, and other adjunct tests.
Surgical Assisting
Minor-procedure setup, aseptic technique, instruments, and assisting the surgeon in clinic and OR.
Keratometry
Corneal curvature measurement — mires, calibration, and readings for contact lenses and IOL calculations.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
A-scan and B-scan basics — indications, technique, and recognizing common echo patterns.
Microbiology
Common ocular pathogens, specimen collection, hand hygiene, and instrument disinfection.
Optics and Spectacles
Basic optics, transposition, vertex distance, and spectacle lens forms and fitting concepts.
Contact Lenses
Lens types and materials, insertion, removal, and care, and recognizing common complications.
Equipment Maintenance and Repair
Slit lamp, lensometer, keratometer — operation, calibration, and care.