Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

What condition is characterized by a bulge in the cornea?

1. Retinal Detachment

2. Nystagmus

3. Pinguecula

4. Keratoconus

The correct answer is: Keratoconus

The correct choice is indeed associated with a bulge in the cornea. Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the normally round dome-shaped cornea becomes thin and develops a bulging, cone-like shape. This distortion of the cornea can lead to significant visual impairment because it affects how light enters the eye and is focused on the retina. Patients with keratoconus often experience difficulties with vision correction through standard lenses, as the irregular shape of the cornea causes astigmatism and other refractive errors. The other conditions listed do not specifically involve a bulge in the cornea. For instance, retinal detachment refers to the separation of the retina from the underlying supportive tissue, which impacts vision but does not produce a bulge in the cornea itself. Nystagmus involves involuntary eye movements and does not describe a structural distortion of the cornea. A pinguecula is a growth on the conjunctiva, often yellowish in color, and typically does not cause bulging of the corneal tissue. Therefore, keratoconus is the condition that is best characterized by the bulge in the cornea.