Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) Practice Test 2025 - Free COT Practice Questions and Study Guide.

Decreased visual acuity is frequently caused by refractive errors, which occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina. This can lead to blurred vision at various distances, depending on whether the individual has myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. Corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, change the way light rays enter the eye, allowing for proper focus on the retina and significantly improving visual acuity.

Conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma can also lead to decreased visual acuity, but they generally cannot be fully corrected with glasses alone. Instead, cataracts may require surgical intervention to replace the cloudy lens, while macular degeneration and glaucoma often require ongoing treatment and monitoring to manage vision loss. Understanding the specific nature of the visual impairment is essential for determining the appropriate corrective measures.