Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Which types of allergies should be discussed with the patient during an examination?

1. Food and skin allergies

2. Medication and contact allergies

3. Environmental and seasonal allergies

4. Allergies to materials and chemicals

The correct answer is: Medication and contact allergies

During an examination, discussing medication and contact allergies is crucial because these types of allergies are directly relevant to the patient's eye care and treatment options. Medication allergies can inform the healthcare provider about risks of prescribing certain eye drops or medications that may lead to adverse reactions. Contact allergies are equally important as they can relate to reactions from materials involved in eyewear, such as metal frames or contact lenses. This information helps tailor the patient's treatment plan and ensures safety in the management of their eye health. While food and skin allergies, environmental and seasonal allergies, and allergies to materials and chemicals are significant to overall health and can indirectly affect eye care, they are not as immediately pertinent to the specific treatment or management of ophthalmic conditions as medication and contact allergies. Thus, while important, these allergies do not hold the same relevance during an eye examination compared to medication and contact allergies.