Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

Pupil dilation is performed during an eye exam to:

1. Increase intraocular pressure

2. Enhance the view of the back of the eye

3. Assess the sharpness of vision

4. Determine the strength of the eye muscles

The correct answer is: Enhance the view of the back of the eye

Pupil dilation is primarily performed during an eye exam to enhance the view of the back of the eye, specifically allowing the eye care professional to better examine the retina and other structures within the posterior segment of the eye. When the pupils are dilated, they allow more light to enter, providing a wider field of view and enabling the practitioner to identify potential issues such as retinal tears, holes, or diseases like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. The other options do not reflect the purpose of pupil dilation in a typical eye examination. Increasing intraocular pressure is not a goal of dilation; rather, it can actually impact the overall health of the eye and is monitored through other means. Assessing the sharpness of vision relates to visual acuity tests, which do not require dilation. Similarly, determining the strength of the eye muscles is related to muscle function assessments, not directly tied to the dilation process. Hence, enhancing the view of the back of the eye is the most pertinent reason for performing pupil dilation during an eye exam.