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Cheat sheet

National Opticianry Cheat Sheet

Ophthalmic Optics

25%of exam

Rx MathPrismTranspositionLens PowerFormulas

Anatomy + Refraction

10%of exam

Eye PartsRefractive ErrorsPathologyReferral Cues

Ophthalmic Products

20%of exam

Instrumentation

15%of exam

LensmeterMeasurementsFrame ToolsVerificationInstrument Picker

Dispensing Procedures

20%of exam

HistoryFittingAdjustmentsTroubleshootingComplaint Picker

Laws + Standards

10%of exam

FTC RuleImpact RuleOSHAANSIScope

Quick Facts

Exam
NOCE
Credential
ABO Basic
Focus
Spectacle dispensing
Time
2 hours
Items
125 total
Scored
100 blueprint
Fee
$225
Scoring
Modified Angoff
Delivery
Prometric or remote

Transposition

Add sphere, flip cyl, rotate axis.

New sphereOpposite cylAxis plus 90

Plus vs Minus

Plus

  • Converges light
  • Thick center
  • Hyperopia

Minus

  • Diverges light
  • Thick edge
  • Myopia

Center vs edge

Rx Math

Sphere
All meridians
Cylinder
Astigmatic difference
Axis
No cylinder power
Add
Near extra plus
SE
Sphere plus half cyl
Transpose
Add flip rotate
Plano
Zero power
Balance
Cosmetic companion lens

Prentice Rule

P equals cF; mm becomes cm.

P: prismc: centimetersF: power

Sphere vs Cylinder

Sphere

  • All meridians
  • Simple power
  • No axis

Cylinder

  • One meridian
  • Astigmatism
  • Needs axis

All vs one

Prism + Formulas

Prentice
P equals cF
c
Decentration in cm
F
Lens power
BI
Base nasal
BO
Base temporal
BU
Base up
BD
Base down
Slab-off
Vertical imbalance aid

NOCE Weights

Optics leads; products and dispensing follow.

Optics 25Products 20Dispensing 20Instruments 15

OC vs MRP

OC

  • No prism
  • Optical center
  • Single-vision focus

MRP

  • Prescribed prism
  • Reference point
  • PAL verification

Zero vs ordered

Lens Behavior

Plus lens
Thick center
Minus lens
Thick edge
OC
Zero prism point
MRP
Prism reference point
Base curve
Front surface curve
Abbe
Dispersion measure
Index
Light bending
Aspheric
Flatter periphery

Eye Parts

Cornea
Major refraction
Iris
Controls pupil
Lens
Accommodation
Retina
Neural image
Macula
Central detail
Fovea
Sharpest acuity
Optic nerve
Brain signal
Aqueous
Anterior fluid

Refraction + Pathology

Myopia
Minus correction
Hyperopia
Plus correction
Astigmatism
Unequal meridians
Presbyopia
Lost accommodation
Amblyopia
Reduced best vision
Cataract
Clouded lens
Glaucoma
Pressure risk
AMD
Macula damage

Poly vs High-Index

Poly

  • Impact priority
  • Low Abbe
  • Children/safety

High-index

  • Thickness priority
  • Often needs AR
  • Strong Rx

Safety vs thinness

Product Picker

  1. Child or sportsPolycarbonate(Impact)
  2. Rimless frameTrivex(Drillable)
  3. High minusHigh-index(Thin edge)
  4. Night glareAR coating(Reflections)
  5. Water glarePolarized(Horizontal glare)
  6. Outdoor changesPhotochromic(UV tint)

Lens Materials

CR-39
Clear economical plastic
Polycarbonate
Impact resistant
Trivex
Impact plus clarity
High-index
Thinner strong Rx
Glass
Scratch resistant
Photochromic
UV darkening
Polarized
Horizontal glare filter
AR
Reflection reduction

Photochromic vs Polarized

Photochromic

  • UV activated
  • Indoor clears
  • Car limits

Polarized

  • Glare filter
  • Water/road
  • LCD issues

Tint change vs glare

Lens Designs

Single vision
One correction
Flat-top
Lined bifocal
Round seg
Less image jump
Trifocal
Distance intermediate near
PAL
No-line multifocal
Office lens
Near intermediate
Lenticular
High power carrier
Safety lens
Impact standard

Frames

Eye size
Lens width
Bridge
DBL fit
Temple
Side length
ED
Largest lens diameter
A
Horizontal box
B
Vertical box
Titanium
Light hypoallergenic
Zyl
Plastic frame

Instrument Picker

  1. Unknown lens powerLensmeter
  2. Base curve neededLens clock
  3. Measure PDPupillometer
  4. Vertex neededDistometer
  5. Thickness neededCalipers
  6. Warm zylFrame warmer

Instruments

Lensmeter
Neutralize power
Lens clock
Surface curve
Calipers
Thickness measurement
PD ruler
Manual PD
Pupillometer
Digital PD
Distometer
Vertex distance
Pliers
Frame adjustment
Warmer
Plastic softening

Verification

Distance power
Verify first
Cylinder axis
Check tolerance
Add power
Read near zone
Prism
Reticle displacement
OC height
Vertical placement
Seg height
Multifocal placement
PAL marks
Layout references
Base curve
Duplicate comfort

Fit Triangle

Nose, ears, lenses share weight.

Bridge fitTemple bendLevel lenses

PD vs Seg Height

PD

  • Horizontal
  • Pupil spacing
  • Avoids prism

Seg height

  • Vertical
  • Near zone
  • Frame dependent

Across vs up

Complaint Picker

  1. Distance blurVerify Rx
  2. Near blurCheck add
  3. PAL nonadaptCheck height
  4. DiplopiaCheck prism
  5. Frame slipsAdjust temples
  6. Pain or rednessRefer back

Dispensing Fit

History
Lifestyle needs
Monocular PD
Each eye
Near PD
Convergence reduced
Seg height
Lower lid area
PAL height
Fitting cross
Vertex
Lens-eye distance
Panto tilt
Bottom inward
Face form
Wrap angle

Adjustments

Slides down
Tighten temples
Lashes hit
Increase vertex
Cheek touch
Raise pads
One lens high
Adjust opposite temple
Crooked frame
Check triangle
Nose marks
Widen pads
Ear pain
Relax bend
PAL swim
Check fit

Rule Stack

FTC releases; FDA protects; OSHA shields.

FTC: RxFDA: impactOSHA: hazardsANSI: specs

NOCE vs CLRE

NOCE

  • Spectacles
  • ABO Basic
  • Frames/lenses

CLRE

  • Contacts
  • NCLE Basic
  • Fitting/care

Glasses vs contacts

Standards Picker

  1. Rx withheldFTC rule
  2. Lens impactFDA rule
  3. Work hazardOSHA PPE
  4. Safety markingANSI Z87
  5. Power toleranceANSI Z80
  6. Medical complaintRefer prescriber

Laws + Standards

FTC
Release Rx
FDA
Impact resistance
OSHA
Workplace eye PPE
ANSI Z80
Ophthalmic tolerances
ANSI Z87
Safety eyewear
HIPAA
Protect PHI
Duty warn
Explain limits
State law
Licensure controls

FDA vs FTC

FDA

  • Impact lenses
  • Drop-ball rule
  • Safety requirement

FTC

  • Rx release
  • Consumer choice
  • No purchase condition

Lens safety vs access

Common Traps

NOCE vs contact lenses

NOCE is spectacles CLRE is contacts

Pilot vs scored items

125 total items 100 blueprint items

Raw score myth

No raw percent Angoff standard

Millimeters vs centimeters

Prentice uses cm PD uses mm

Axis vs power

Axis has no cyl Power 90 away

Tint vs polarization

Tint reduces light Polarization cuts glare

Adaptation vs pathology

Mild swim adapts Pain needs referral

Fashion vs safety

Dress is impact Safety needs Z87

Last Minute

  1. 1.Optics is 25%
  2. 2.Products and dispensing: 20%
  3. 3.Instruments are 15%
  4. 4.Anatomy and law: 10%
  5. 5.Transpose: add flip rotate
  6. 6.Prentice: P equals cF
  7. 7.Convert mm to cm
  8. 8.Plus thick center
  9. 9.Minus thick edge
  10. 10.Poly for impact
  11. 11.FTC releases Rx
  12. 12.FDA requires impact resistance
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