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Free Practice Questions for Israel Optometry

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Key Facts: Israel Optometry Exam

2 / year

Sittings (15.04.2026, 19.10.2026)

Ministry of Health — optometry licensing page

5

Candidates Needed for a Language Translation

Ministry of Health — optometry licensing page

45 days

Registration Deadline Before the Exam

Ministry of Health — optometry licensing page

25%

Extra Time for Eligible Candidates

Ministry of Health — optometry licensing page

Binyanei Ha'uma

Examination Venue, Jerusalem

Ministry of Health — optometry licensing page

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep Practice Bank

The Israeli government optometry licensing examination is a multiple-choice paper sat twice a year at Binyanei Ha'uma in Jerusalem and, from this year, taken on laptops. A translation into English, Arabic, Russian, French or Spanish is arranged only when at least 5 candidates request that language. This 100-question set is independent English-language practice by OpenExamPrep across geometric and physiological optics, refraction, binocular vision, contact lenses, and ocular disease screening and Israeli optometry law.

Sample Israel Optometry Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Israel Optometry exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A small point object is positioned 25.0 cm in front of a thin spherical lens in air with a focal power of +6.00 D. What is the image vergence emerging from the lens, and where is the resulting image formed?
A.Image vergence is +2.00 D, forming a real image 50.0 cm behind the lens.
B.Image vergence is -2.00 D, forming a virtual image 50.0 cm in front of the lens.
C.Image vergence is +10.00 D, forming a real image 10.0 cm behind the lens.
D.Image vergence is +4.00 D, forming a real image 25.0 cm behind the lens.
Explanation: According to the fundamental vergence equation L' = L + F, the object vergence is L = 1 / (-0.25 m) = -4.00 D. Adding the lens power F = +6.00 D yields an emerging image vergence of L' = -4.00 D + (+6.00 D) = +2.00 D. The image distance l' is calculated as 1 / (+2.00 D) = +0.50 m = +50.0 cm, indicating a real image located 50.0 cm behind (to the right of) the lens.
2Light travelling in water (refractive index n = 1.333) strikes a convex spherical refracting interface with a radius of curvature of +10.0 cm bounding ophthalmic crown glass (refractive index n' = 1.523). What is the surface refracting power F of this interface?
A.+5.23 D
B.+1.90 D
C.+2.85 D
D.-1.90 D
Explanation: The surface refracting power of a single spherical interface is given by F = (n' - n) / r, where r is expressed in metres. Here, n' = 1.523, n = 1.333, and r = +0.10 m (+10.0 cm). Calculating the power: F = (1.523 - 1.333) / 0.10 = 0.190 / 0.10 = +1.90 D.
3A high myopic patient's subjective spectacle refraction is -8.00 DS at a vertex distance of 14.0 mm. When fitting this patient with contact lenses placed directly on the cornea (vertex distance = 0 mm), what contact lens back vertex power must be prescribed?
A.-7.19 D
B.-8.99 D
C.-8.00 D
D.-6.50 D
Explanation: Using the vertex distance compensation formula Fc = Fs / (1 - d * Fs), where d is the vertex distance in metres (0.014 m) and Fs is the spectacle power (-8.00 D): Fc = -8.00 / (1 - (0.014 * -8.00)) = -8.00 / (1 + 0.112) = -8.00 / 1.112 = -7.19 D. Moving a minus lens closer to the eye increases its effective diverging power, so less minus power is required in contact lens form.
4An aphakic hyperope has a spectacle prescription of +12.00 DS measured at a vertex distance of 12.0 mm. If this patient is fitted with a corneal contact lens (vertex distance = 0 mm), what is the required contact lens power?
A.+10.45 D
B.+14.02 D
C.+12.00 D
D.+13.50 D
Explanation: Applying the vertex compensation formula Fc = Fs / (1 - d * Fs), where d = 0.012 m and Fs = +12.00 D: Fc = +12.00 / (1 - (0.012 * 12.00)) = +12.00 / (1 - 0.144) = +12.00 / 0.856 = +14.02 D. When a plus lens is moved closer to the eye, its effective converging power decreases, requiring a stronger plus contact lens to maintain focus on the retina.
5A patient is fitted with spectacles where the right lens has a focal power of +5.00 DS. Due to frame misalignment, the optical center of the right lens sits 4.0 mm temporally relative to the patient's pupillary center. According to Prentice's Rule, what is the magnitude and base direction of the induced prismatic effect?
A.2.00 Δ Base In
B.2.00 Δ Base Out
C.1.25 Δ Base Out
D.2.50 Δ Base In
Explanation: Prentice's Rule states that induced prismatic power is Δ = c * F, where c is decentration in centimetres (4.0 mm = 0.4 cm) and F is lens power in dioptres (+5.00 D), so Δ = 0.4 * 5.00 = 2.00 Δ. A plus lens behaves like two prisms placed base to base, so at any point the base points toward the optical centre (the thickest part). Here the optical centre lies 4.0 mm temporal to the visual axis, so the base of the induced prism points temporally: 2.00 Δ Base Out. (A minus lens in the same position would give Base In, because its base points away from the optical centre.)
6A myopic patient wears a left spectacle lens with a power of -6.00 DS. The optical center of the lens is placed 3.0 mm superior to the patient's visual axis. What prismatic effect does the left eye experience?
A.1.80 Δ Base Up
B.1.80 Δ Base Down
C.2.00 Δ Base Down
D.0.18 Δ Base Up
Explanation: Applying Prentice's Rule Δ = c * F, decentration c = 3.0 mm = 0.3 cm and F = 6.00 D, yielding Δ = 0.3 * 6.00 = 1.80 Δ. A minus lens is shaped like two prisms apex-to-apex, with the optical center being the thinnest point and bases at the periphery. Because the optical center is superior to the visual axis, the patient looks through the inferior portion of the lens, where the prism base points downward (Base Down).
7A patient wears anisometropic spectacles with the following distance prescription: OD: +4.00 DS, OS: -2.00 DS. When looking downward 8.0 mm below the distance optical centers into the reading position, what net vertical prismatic imbalance is induced between the two eyes?
A.1.60 Δ imbalance
B.3.20 Δ imbalance
C.4.80 Δ imbalance
D.2.40 Δ imbalance
Explanation: At a reading point 8.0 mm (0.8 cm) below the optical centers, Prentice's Rule (Δ = c * F) gives: OD: Δ = 0.8 cm * +4.00 D = 3.20 Δ Base Up (since looking below the optical center of a plus lens encounters Base Up). OS: Δ = 0.8 cm * -2.00 D = 1.60 Δ Base Down (since looking below the optical center of a minus lens encounters Base Down). Base Up in OD and Base Down in OS have opposite vertical vectors that compound rather than cancel, creating a net differential vertical imbalance of 3.20 Δ + 1.60 Δ = 4.80 Δ.
8An ophthalmic prism manufactured from standard crown glass (refractive index n = 1.523) has an apical angle of 5.0°. What is the angle of minimum deviation d produced by this thin prism?
A.2.62°
B.5.00°
C.1.31°
D.3.81°
Explanation: For a thin prism in air, the angle of deviation is given by the approximation d = A * (n - 1), where A is the apical angle and n is the refractive index. Here, d = 5.0° * (1.523 - 1) = 5.0° * 0.523 = 2.615° ≈ 2.62°.
9An optometrist wishes to incorporate 3.00 Δ Base Out prism into the right lens of an esophoric patient whose prescription is -5.00 DS. How far and in which direction should the optical center of the right lens be decentered relative to the patient's visual axis?
A.6.0 mm nasally
B.6.0 mm temporally
C.1.5 mm nasally
D.15.0 mm temporally
Explanation: Using Prentice's Rule Δ = c * F, solving for decentration c gives c = Δ / F = 3.00 Δ / 5.00 D = 0.60 cm = 6.0 mm. For a minus lens, the base of the prism is located at the peripheral edge while the optical center is the apex. To produce Base Out prism (base temporal), the patient's visual axis must pass temporal to the optical center; therefore, the optical center must be shifted 6.0 mm nasally.
10In ophthalmic lens design, the Tscherning ellipse describes the front surface base curves that eliminate which monochromatic aberration for small aperture oblique gaze?
A.Radial (oblique) astigmatism
B.Spherical aberration
C.Diffraction
D.Transverse chromatic aberration
Explanation: The Tscherning ellipse represents the mathematical locus of front base curves that eliminate marginal (oblique or radial) astigmatism for distance vision through an ophthalmic lens. It consists of two branches: the steeper Wollaston branch and the flatter, clinically practical Ostwalt branch utilized in modern ophthalmic lens manufacture.

About the Israel Optometry Exam

The Israel Optometry Licensing Examination (בחינת רישוי ממשלתית באופטומטריה) is the statutory qualifying examination mandated under the Optometry Law, 5751-1991 (חוק העיסוק באופטומטריה, התשנ"א-1991) and administered by the Medical Professions Licensing Division of the Israeli Ministry of Health (משרד הבריאות). The examination rigorously validates the theoretical knowledge and clinical competence required to practice optometry independently in Israel. The syllabus encompasses geometrical and ophthalmic optics, refractive techniques and retinoscopy, binocular vision anomalies and orthoptics, contact lens fitting and corneo-scleral complications, ocular disease screening (tonometry, funduscopy, anterior segment pathology), and Israeli statutory legislation defining the optometric scope of practice and mandatory ophthalmology referral duties. The official examination is administered in Israel; this practice question bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation authored by OpenExamPrep to assist domestic and overseas-trained optometry graduates preparing for licensure.

Exam sponsor: Ministry of Health — Division of Medical Professions (משרד הבריאות). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Multiple-choice ('American-style') government examination, now sat on laptops instead of printed question and answer sheets, at the International Convention Center (Binyanei Ha'uma), Jerusalem. A translation into English, Arabic, Russian, French or Spanish is provided only if at least 5 candidates register for that language; otherwise the supervisor may permit the use of a dictionary.

Time Limit

Not published by the Ministry of Health

Passing Score

Pass/fail determined by the examination committee; no numeric pass mark is published for optometry

Exam / Certification Fees

Statutory examination fee set in the Ministry of Health fee schedule; it must be paid through the government payments service before the examination

Exam sponsor website

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Geometrical, Physical & Ophthalmic Optics

Vergence calculations, focal length, Prentice's rule prism deviation, lens aberrations (spherical aberration, coma, chromatic aberration), lensometry verification, back vertex power compensation, and antireflective coatings.

25%

Refraction, Visual Acuity & Prescribing

Static and dynamic retinoscopy principles, working distance lenses, Jackson cross-cylinder power and axis refinement, astigmatism management, presbyopia accommodation reserve, and amblyopia classification.

20%

Binocular Vision, Strabismus & Orthoptics

Convergence insufficiency criteria and treatment, cover test interpretation, heterophoria vs heterotropia, calculated and gradient AC/A ratio formulas, orthoptic vision therapy, and stereopsis evaluation.

20%

Contact Lenses

Soft spherical and toric contact lens fitting and rotation assessment, RGP fluorescein pattern interpretation (apical clearance, alignment, apical bearing), oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t), contact lens complications (microbial keratitis, CLARE, GPC), and keratoconus management.

15%

Ocular Pathology, Pharmacology & Israeli Law

Glaucoma screening (intraocular pressure, C/D ratio, visual fields), diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy signs, red-flag symptoms requiring emergency ophthalmologist referral, Optometry Law 5751-1991 statutory boundaries, and diagnostic drug regulations.

Preparing for the Israel Optometry Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail determined by the examination committee; no numeric pass mark is published for optometry
  • Assessment: Multiple-choice ('American-style') government examination, now sat on laptops instead of printed question and answer sheets, at the International Convention Center (Binyanei Ha'uma), Jerusalem. A translation into English, Arabic, Russian, French or Spanish is provided only if at least 5 candidates register for that language; otherwise the supervisor may permit the use of a dictionary.
  • Time limit: Not published by the Ministry of Health
  • Exam / certification fees: Statutory examination fee set in the Ministry of Health fee schedule; it must be paid through the government payments service before the examination Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
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  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Israel Optometry: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master ophthalmic optics math: practice Prentice's rule (Δ = c × F), effective power with vertex distance changes (F_new = F / (1 - d × F)), and focal vergence calculations daily.
2Know retinoscopy inside and out: reflex motion ('with' vs 'against'), working distance subtraction (+1.50 D for 67 cm, +2.00 D for 50 cm), and neutralizing high astigmatic reflexes.
3Understand the AC/A ratio formulas: know how to calculate AC/A using both the gradient method (ΔPhoria / Lens Power) and the heterophoria method (IPD + Distance(P_near - P_dist)).
4Learn contact lens fluorescein patterns: recognize apical clearance (pooling), alignment (thin uniform green layer), and apical touch (dark black central bearing) for RGP fits on spherical and keratoconic corneas.
5Memorize statutory referral red flags: sudden painless or painful vision loss, optic disc edema, Marcus Gunn relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), corneal infiltrates with epithelial defect, mid-dilated fixed pupil, and neovascularization of the iris or retina.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format and passing score of the Israeli Optometry Licensing Exam?

The Ministry of Health publishes the optometry licensing examination as a multiple-choice ('American-style') paper, now taken on laptops, held twice a year at Binyanei Ha'uma in Jerusalem (15.04.2026 and 19.10.2026). It does not publish the number of questions, the duration or a numeric pass mark. A translation into English, Arabic, Russian, French or Spanish is arranged only if at least 5 candidates register for that language; otherwise the supervisor may allow a dictionary.

Where and when is the Israeli optometry examination held?

The Ministry of Health typically schedules the government optometry examination twice per year, usually in the Spring and Autumn, at the International Convention Center (Binyanei HaUma) in Jerusalem.

What are the legal scope boundaries for optometrists under Israeli Law?

Under the Optometry Law, 5751-1991 (חוק העיסוק באופטומטריה), licensed optometrists are authorized to determine refractive errors, evaluate visual function, and prescribe and fit optical eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists in Israel are not authorized to diagnose medical eye diseases or prescribe medical treatments; by law, if an optometrist suspects any ocular pathology, systemic disease manifestation, or uncorrectable vision deficit, they have a strict statutory obligation to refer the patient to a licensed ophthalmologist (רופא עיניים).

Can optometrists in Israel prescribe diagnostic or therapeutic eye drops?

Under the Optometry Law and Ministry of Health regulations, optometrists are strictly prohibited from prescribing or possessing therapeutic pharmaceutical medications. Use of diagnostic drugs (such as mydriatics, cycloplegics, or topical anesthetics) is restricted and subject to specific Ministry of Health Director-General certifications, regulations, and medical oversight.

Is this practice bank an official Israeli government exam pool?

No. This question bank is an independent English-language study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep based on the published curriculum of the Israeli Ministry of Health and standard optometric clinical syllabi. It is intended for study and self-assessment and is not an official translation or government exam pool.

What happens if a candidate fails the exam?

A candidate who fails may register again for a later sitting and pay the statutory examination fee set by the Ministry of Health again; the registration request must reach the Medical Professions Licensing Division at least 45 days before the sitting. Any candidate who failed may also register for the review day within 7 days of the results message, inspect the paper for an hour and submit a written appeal within 10 days of that inspection; the Ministry publishes the optometry appeal committee's decisions after each examination.