Master Retinoscopy: The key to objective refraction mcq Learn the principles, working distance corrections, and techniques for spherical and astigmatic errors with 40 essential MCQs and expert explanations. Visit ophthalmology mcq page.
Basics of Retinoscopy
41. Retinoscopy is an example of:
A. Subjective test
B. Objective test
C. Binocular test
D. Muscle balance test
View Answer
B. Objective test ✅ Exp: Objective because no response from patient required.
42. Retinoscopy works on the principle of:
A. Parallax
B. Diffraction
C. Accommodation
D. Polarization
View Answer
A. Parallax ✅ Exp: Based on relative movement of reflex between mirror and retina.
43. Retinoscope neutral point is achieved when:
A. Reflex moves with mirror
B. Reflex moves against
C. No movement seen
D. Reflex disappears
View Answer
C. No movement seen ✅ Exp: Neutralization = image at retinoscope peephole.
44. Plane mirror retinoscopy:
A. Image forms behind mirror
B. Image forms at mirror
C. Image forms in eye
D. Image forms on retina
View Answer
A. Image forms behind mirror ✅ Exp: Virtual image behind mirror gives “with” movement in hypermetropia.
45. Concave mirror retinoscopy:
A. Image forms in front of mirror
B. Behind mirror
C. On retina
D. On cornea
View Answer
A. Image forms in front of mirror ✅ Exp: Real image before mirror produces opposite movement.
46. In plane mirror, “with” movement indicates:
A. Myopia <1 D or hypermetropia
B. Myopia >1 D
C. Emmetropia only
D. Aphakia
View Answer
A. Myopia <1 D or hypermetropia ✅ Exp: Seen in hypermetropia or low myopia when image behind retina.
47. “Against” movement indicates:
A. Hypermetropia
B. Myopia >1 D
C. Emmetropia
D. Presbyopia
View Answer
B. Myopia >1 D ✅ Exp: Seen when far point between mirror and patient.
48. No movement (neutralization) means:
A. Myopia = mirror distance
B. Hypermetropia
C. Astigmatism
D. Presbyopia
View Answer
A. Myopia = mirror distance ✅ Exp: Far point coincides with retinoscope position.
49. In myopia of –1 D, reflex moves:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. No reflex
View Answer
B. Against ✅ Exp: Far point at 1 m; if working distance shorter, “against” seen.
50. Retinoscopy working distance in India:
A. 1 m
B. 67 cm
C. 50 cm
D. 33 cm
View Answer
B. 67 cm ✅ Exp: 67 cm → 1.5 D working lens subtraction.
51. Working distance correction in retinoscopy =
A. Add lens power
B. Subtract working distance power
C. No correction
D. Double it
View Answer
B. Subtract working distance power ✅ Exp: Remove +1.5 D to compensate for 67 cm distance.
52. In emmetropic eye, movement is:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. Variable
View Answer
C. Neutral ✅ Exp: Far point at infinity → neutral at long distance.
53. Retinoscopy in dark room requires pupil to be:
A. Small
B. Medium dilated
C. Fully dilated
D. Constricted
View Answer
B. Medium dilated ✅ Exp: Moderate dilation improves reflex visibility.
54. Reflex brightness depends on:
A. Pupil size
B. Fundus pigmentation
C. Corneal curvature
D. Lens power
View Answer
B. Fundus pigmentation ✅ Exp: Dark fundus → dull reflex; fair fundus → bright reflex.
55. Retinoscopy should be performed with:
A. Full room light
B. Semi-dark room
C. Total darkness
D. Daylight only
View Answer
B. Semi-dark room ✅ Exp: Controlled illumination enhances contrast.
56. Retinoscopy is especially useful in:
A. Children
B. Adults
C. Elderly
D. Myopic adults
View Answer
A. Children ✅ Exp: Objective test helps when cooperation poor.
55. Cycloplegia before retinoscopy is done to:
A. Dilate pupil
B. Paralyze accommodation
C. Increase corneal reflex
D. Reduce astigmatism
View Answer
B. Paralyze accommodation ✅ Exp: Removes accommodation to reveal true refractive state.
58. Common cycloplegic used in children:
A. Tropicamide
B. Homatropine
C. Cyclopentolate
D. Atropine
View Answer
C. Cyclopentolate ✅ Exp: Acts fast, adequate for school-age children.
58. In hypermetropia, reflex moves:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. Reversed
View Answer
A. With ✅ Exp: Image behind retina → “with” movement.
60 In high myopia (>–1.5 D), reflex moves:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. None
View Answer
B. Against ✅ Exp: Image in front of retina → “against” movement.
Astigmatism Retinoscopy
61. In astigmatism, movement differs:
A. In all meridians equally
B. Only in principal meridians
C. No movement
D. Reversed in same eye
View Answer
B. Only in principal meridians ✅ Exp: Two principal meridians have different powers.
63. When neutralization achieved at 90° and not at 180°, it indicates:
A. Simple myopic astigmatism
B. Simple hypermetropic
C. Mixed
D. Compound
View Answer
A. Simple myopic astigmatism ✅ Exp: One meridian emmetropic, other myopic.
63 When both meridians show “with” movement but different neutralization points:
A. Compound hypermetropic astigmatism
B. Mixed
C. Simple myopic
D. Compound myopic
View Answer
A. Compound hypermetropic astigmatism ✅ Exp: Both behind retina with unequal power.
64. When one “with” and other “against”:
A. Mixed astigmatism
B. Simple myopia
C. Simple hypermetropia
D. Compound hypermetropia
View Answer
A. Mixed astigmatism ✅ Exp: Opposite signs of error.
65. In irregular astigmatism, reflex appears:
A. Bright and steady
B. Streaky and distorted
C. Normal
D. Absent
View Answer
B. Streaky and distorted ✅ Exp: Uneven corneal curvature distorts reflex.
66. Retinoscope streak movement is controlled by:
A. Tilting mirror
B. Changing bulb
C. Moving sleeve
D. Changing lenses
View Answer
A. Tilting mirror ✅ Exp: Mirror tilt alters streak direction.
67. Sleeve up (plane mirror position) gives:
A. With movement in hypermetropia
B. Against in hypermetropia
C. No movement
D. Reverse movement
View Answer
A. With movement in hypermetropia ✅ Exp: Plane mirror image behind mirror.
68 Sleeve down (concave mirror) reverses:
A. Direction of movement
B. Brightness only
C. Focus
D. Working distance
View Answer
A. Direction of movement ✅ Exp: Image inverts → opposite reflex motion.
69. Retinoscopy performed at distance ensures:
A. Patient comfort
B. Neutralization easier
C. More brightness
D. No parallax
View Answer
B. Neutralization easier ✅ Exp: Proper working distance avoids over-minus correction.
70. A dim reflex means:
A. Media opacity
B. Refractive error only
C. Large pupil
D. Normal finding
View Answer
A. Media opacity ✅ Exp: Corneal scar or cataract can dull reflex.
71. Retinoscopy under cycloplegia measures:
A. Static refraction
B. Dynamic refraction
C. Accommodation
D. Fusion
View Answer
A. Static refraction ✅ Exp: Static = without accommodation.
72. Retinoscopy without cycloplegia measures:
A. Dynamic refraction
B. Static refraction
C. Latent error
D. Binocular balance
View Answer
A. Dynamic refraction ✅ Exp: Reflects active accommodation.
73. Skiascopy is another term for:
A. Retinoscopy
B. Perimetry
C. Keratometry
D. Gonioscopy
View Answer
A. Retinoscopy ✅ Exp: “Skiascopy” = shadow test (Greek origin).
74. In dynamic retinoscopy, target used at:
A. Infinity
B. 33 cm
C. 6 m
D. 1 m
View Answer
B. 33 cm ✅ Exp: Near fixation to assess accommodation.
75. Mohindra’s retinoscopy is done:
A. In light
B. In dark room
C. With cycloplegia
D. Using slit lamp
View Answer
B. In dark room ✅ Exp: Performed in dark for infants to measure near reflex error.
76 Mohindra’s technique is useful for:
A. Infants & toddlers
B. Adults
C. Myopes
D. Cataract patients
View Answer
A. Infants & toddlers ✅ Exp: Allows estimation without cycloplegia.
77. Working distance in Mohindra’s test:
A. 50 cm
B. 33 cm
C. 1 m
D. 2 m
View Answer
A. 50 cm ✅ Exp: Conducted at half meter distance.
78. Correction factor used in Mohindra’s retinoscopy:
A. +1.00 D
B. +1.50 D
C. +2.00 D
D. –1.00 D
View Answer
A. +1.00 D ✅ Exp: Add +1.00 D to compensate for near fixation.
79. Keratometry measures:
A. Axial length
B. Corneal curvature
C. Lens thickness
D. Retinal power
View Answer
B. Corneal curvature ✅ Exp: Measures radius of curvature of anterior cornea.
80. Retinoscopy detects:
A. Axial length changes
B. Total refractive error
C. Lens opacities
D. Binocular vision defect
View Answer
B. Total refractive error ✅ Exp: Estimates spherical & cylindrical refractive components.
Basics of Retinoscopy
41. Retinoscopy is an example of:
A. Subjective test
B. Objective test
C. Binocular test
D. Muscle balance test
View Answer
B. Objective test ✅ Exp: Objective because no response from patient required.
42. Retinoscopy works on the principle of:
A. Parallax
B. Diffraction
C. Accommodation
D. Polarization
View Answer
A. Parallax ✅ Exp: Based on relative movement of reflex between mirror and retina.
43. Retinoscope neutral point is achieved when:
A. Reflex moves with mirror
B. Reflex moves against
C. No movement seen
D. Reflex disappears
View Answer
C. No movement seen ✅ Exp: Neutralization = image at retinoscope peephole.
44. Plane mirror retinoscopy:
A. Image forms behind mirror
B. Image forms at mirror
C. Image forms in eye
D. Image forms on retina
View Answer
A. Image forms behind mirror ✅ Exp: Virtual image behind mirror gives “with” movement in hypermetropia.
45. Concave mirror retinoscopy:
A. Image forms in front of mirror
B. Behind mirror
C. On retina
D. On cornea
View Answer
A. Image forms in front of mirror ✅ Exp: Real image before mirror produces opposite movement.
46. In plane mirror, “with” movement indicates:
A. Myopia <1 D or hypermetropia
B. Myopia >1 D
C. Emmetropia only
D. Aphakia
View Answer
A. Myopia <1 D or hypermetropia ✅ Exp: Seen in hypermetropia or low myopia when image behind retina.
47. “Against” movement indicates:
A. Hypermetropia
B. Myopia >1 D
C. Emmetropia
D. Presbyopia
View Answer
B. Myopia >1 D ✅ Exp: Seen when far point between mirror and patient.
48. No movement (neutralization) means:
A. Myopia = mirror distance
B. Hypermetropia
C. Astigmatism
D. Presbyopia
View Answer
A. Myopia = mirror distance ✅ Exp: Far point coincides with retinoscope position.
49. In myopia of –1 D, reflex moves:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. No reflex
View Answer
B. Against ✅ Exp: Far point at 1 m; if working distance shorter, “against” seen.
50. Retinoscopy working distance in India:
A. 1 m
B. 67 cm
C. 50 cm
D. 33 cm
View Answer
B. 67 cm ✅ Exp: 67 cm → 1.5 D working lens subtraction.
51. Working distance correction in retinoscopy =
A. Add lens power
B. Subtract working distance power
C. No correction
D. Double it
View Answer
B. Subtract working distance power ✅ Exp: Remove +1.5 D to compensate for 67 cm distance.
52. In emmetropic eye, movement is:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. Variable
View Answer
C. Neutral ✅ Exp: Far point at infinity → neutral at long distance.
53. Retinoscopy in dark room requires pupil to be:
A. Small
B. Medium dilated
C. Fully dilated
D. Constricted
View Answer
B. Medium dilated ✅ Exp: Moderate dilation improves reflex visibility.
54. Reflex brightness depends on:
A. Pupil size
B. Fundus pigmentation
C. Corneal curvature
D. Lens power
View Answer
B. Fundus pigmentation ✅ Exp: Dark fundus → dull reflex; fair fundus → bright reflex.
55. Retinoscopy should be performed with:
A. Full room light
B. Semi-dark room
C. Total darkness
D. Daylight only
View Answer
B. Semi-dark room ✅ Exp: Controlled illumination enhances contrast.
56. Retinoscopy is especially useful in:
A. Children
B. Adults
C. Elderly
D. Myopic adults
View Answer
A. Children ✅ Exp: Objective test helps when cooperation poor.
55. Cycloplegia before retinoscopy is done to:
A. Dilate pupil
B. Paralyze accommodation
C. Increase corneal reflex
D. Reduce astigmatism
View Answer
B. Paralyze accommodation ✅ Exp: Removes accommodation to reveal true refractive state.
58. Common cycloplegic used in children:
A. Tropicamide
B. Homatropine
C. Cyclopentolate
D. Atropine
View Answer
C. Cyclopentolate ✅ Exp: Acts fast, adequate for school-age children.
58. In hypermetropia, reflex moves:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. Reversed
View Answer
A. With ✅ Exp: Image behind retina → “with” movement.
60 In high myopia (>–1.5 D), reflex moves:
A. With
B. Against
C. Neutral
D. None
View Answer
B. Against ✅ Exp: Image in front of retina → “against” movement.
Astigmatism Retinoscopy
61. In astigmatism, movement differs:
A. In all meridians equally
B. Only in principal meridians
C. No movement
D. Reversed in same eye
View Answer
B. Only in principal meridians ✅ Exp: Two principal meridians have different powers.
63. When neutralization achieved at 90° and not at 180°, it indicates:
A. Simple myopic astigmatism
B. Simple hypermetropic
C. Mixed
D. Compound
View Answer
A. Simple myopic astigmatism ✅ Exp: One meridian emmetropic, other myopic.
63 When both meridians show “with” movement but different neutralization points:
A. Compound hypermetropic astigmatism
B. Mixed
C. Simple myopic
D. Compound myopic
View Answer
A. Compound hypermetropic astigmatism ✅ Exp: Both behind retina with unequal power.
64. When one “with” and other “against”:
A. Mixed astigmatism
B. Simple myopia
C. Simple hypermetropia
D. Compound hypermetropia
View Answer
A. Mixed astigmatism ✅ Exp: Opposite signs of error.
65. In irregular astigmatism, reflex appears:
A. Bright and steady
B. Streaky and distorted
C. Normal
D. Absent
View Answer
B. Streaky and distorted ✅ Exp: Uneven corneal curvature distorts reflex.
66. Retinoscope streak movement is controlled by:
A. Tilting mirror
B. Changing bulb
C. Moving sleeve
D. Changing lenses
View Answer
A. Tilting mirror ✅ Exp: Mirror tilt alters streak direction.
67. Sleeve up (plane mirror position) gives:
A. With movement in hypermetropia
B. Against in hypermetropia
C. No movement
D. Reverse movement
View Answer
A. With movement in hypermetropia ✅ Exp: Plane mirror image behind mirror.
68 Sleeve down (concave mirror) reverses:
A. Direction of movement
B. Brightness only
C. Focus
D. Working distance
View Answer
A. Direction of movement ✅ Exp: Image inverts → opposite reflex motion.
69. Retinoscopy performed at distance ensures:
A. Patient comfort
B. Neutralization easier
C. More brightness
D. No parallax
View Answer
B. Neutralization easier ✅ Exp: Proper working distance avoids over-minus correction.
70. A dim reflex means:
A. Media opacity
B. Refractive error only
C. Large pupil
D. Normal finding
View Answer
A. Media opacity ✅ Exp: Corneal scar or cataract can dull reflex.
71. Retinoscopy under cycloplegia measures:
A. Static refraction
B. Dynamic refraction
C. Accommodation
D. Fusion
View Answer
A. Static refraction ✅ Exp: Static = without accommodation.
72. Retinoscopy without cycloplegia measures:
A. Dynamic refraction
B. Static refraction
C. Latent error
D. Binocular balance
View Answer
A. Dynamic refraction ✅ Exp: Reflects active accommodation.
73. Skiascopy is another term for:
A. Retinoscopy
B. Perimetry
C. Keratometry
D. Gonioscopy
View Answer
A. Retinoscopy ✅ Exp: “Skiascopy” = shadow test (Greek origin).
74. In dynamic retinoscopy, target used at:
A. Infinity
B. 33 cm
C. 6 m
D. 1 m
View Answer
B. 33 cm ✅ Exp: Near fixation to assess accommodation.
75. Mohindra’s retinoscopy is done:
A. In light
B. In dark room
C. With cycloplegia
D. Using slit lamp
View Answer
B. In dark room ✅ Exp: Performed in dark for infants to measure near reflex error.
76 Mohindra’s technique is useful for:
A. Infants & toddlers
B. Adults
C. Myopes
D. Cataract patients
View Answer
A. Infants & toddlers ✅ Exp: Allows estimation without cycloplegia.
77. Working distance in Mohindra’s test:
A. 50 cm
B. 33 cm
C. 1 m
D. 2 m
View Answer
A. 50 cm ✅ Exp: Conducted at half meter distance.
78. Correction factor used in Mohindra’s retinoscopy:
A. +1.00 D
B. +1.50 D
C. +2.00 D
D. –1.00 D
View Answer
A. +1.00 D ✅ Exp: Add +1.00 D to compensate for near fixation.
79. Keratometry measures:
A. Axial length
B. Corneal curvature
C. Lens thickness
D. Retinal power
View Answer
B. Corneal curvature ✅ Exp: Measures radius of curvature of anterior cornea.
80. Retinoscopy detects:
A. Axial length changes
B. Total refractive error
C. Lens opacities
D. Binocular vision defect
View Answer
B. Total refractive error ✅ Exp: Estimates spherical & cylindrical refractive components.
