Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Scotomas located immediately nasal or temporal to fixation are referred to as what?

1. Peripheral

2. Paracentral

3. Central

4. Generalized

The correct answer is: Paracentral

When referring to scotomas that are located immediately nasal or temporal to the point of fixation, the term used is "paracentral." This designation indicates that the scotoma is near the central visual field, specifically adjacent to the area directly in view. In a clinical context, recognizing the location of scotomas is crucial for understanding visual field defects. The paracentral area encompasses the regions directly surrounding the point of fixation, and deficits in this area can have significant implications for a patient’s visual function. Other terms like peripheral scotomas refer to visual field loss that occurs in the outer regions away from fixation, while central scotomas would indicate a loss directly at or very close to the fixation point. Generalized scotomas describe a more diffuse loss across the visual field rather than being localized. Thus, the specificity of the term "paracentral" accurately describes scotomas located just next to the fixation point.