Loading...
Loading...
Paraoptometric professionals are frequently responsible for the daily cleaning, disinfection, calibration verification, and basic maintenance of clinical instruments. Properly maintained instruments produce accurate measurements, protect patient safety through infection control, and remain in service longer—protecting the practice's significant investment in diagnostic equipment. The CPO and CPOA exams test your knowledge of maintenance procedures for the instruments used in optometric practice.
Calibration verification ensures instruments produce accurate measurements. Key principles:
Free CPO and CPOA exam prep on Opterio—including instrument use and maintenance.
Using the lensometer to verify spectacle prescriptions.
Performing accurate IOP measurements with the air puff tonometer.
Disinfection protocols for instruments and the clinical environment.
Browse all CPO and CPOA study topics by category.
Daily slit lamp maintenance includes: (1) Cleaning the chin rest and forehead rest with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe between every patient. (2) Cleaning the eyepieces with a lens-safe solution and optical cloth—never use paper towels on optics as they scratch. (3) Wiping the joystick and any controls that are frequently handled. (4) Covering the instrument when not in use to prevent dust accumulation on the optical surfaces. (5) Checking that the illumination bulb and slit width/height controls are functioning normally. (6) Inspecting the binocular eyepieces for fogging, scratches, or fungal growth (in humid environments).
Goldmann tonometer calibration is checked using the calibration bar or weight that came with the instrument. The standard procedure uses specific weights at 0 g, 1 g, and 2 g to verify that the measurement scale reads correctly at 0, 10, and 20 mmHg respectively. An out-of-calibration tonometer produces incorrect IOP readings—potentially missing elevated IOP in glaucoma patients or falsely elevating readings in normal patients. Calibration should be checked at minimum monthly, or according to manufacturer recommendations. Many practices check calibration weekly. If the tonometer fails calibration, it should be taken out of service until recalibrated by a technician.
Optical surfaces (lenses, mirrors, prisms) require special care: (1) Use only optical-grade cleaning solutions or lens cleaning fluid—never acetone, alcohol (on coated lenses), or harsh solvents unless specified by the manufacturer. (2) Use a clean, dry, lint-free optical tissue or microfiber cloth. (3) Start from the center of the lens and move outward in concentric circles—never scrub back and forth, which spreads debris and increases scratching risk. (4) If debris is present, first blow it off with canned air or a brush before wiping—wiping debris across an optical surface causes microscopic scratches. (5) Never touch optical surfaces with bare fingers—skin oils accelerate lens degradation.
Phoropter maintenance includes: (1) Cleaning the lens surfaces with appropriate optical cleaner and tissues regularly. (2) Ensuring the dials and lens wells rotate smoothly—stiffness or jumping may indicate need for professional servicing. (3) Cleaning the forehead rest and chin rest between patients with a disinfectant wipe. (4) Checking that all Rx lenses are accurately positioned (0.00 should display clear through the aperture with the appropriate JCC setting). (5) Inspecting for loose screws, misaligned lens components, or condensation between lenses. Annual professional calibration verification is recommended.
Instrument maintenance documentation is both a quality control requirement and a regulatory expectation in many jurisdictions. Records should include: (1) Date of maintenance performed, (2) Name of person performing maintenance, (3) Specific maintenance tasks completed (cleaning, calibration check, bulb replacement, etc.), (4) Calibration readings and pass/fail status for tonometers and other calibratable instruments, (5) Any service, repair, or replacement performed with vendor name and date, (6) Next scheduled maintenance date. Logs may be paper-based (maintenance binder kept near each instrument) or digital. Proper documentation protects the practice in liability situations and ensures continuity when different staff members perform maintenance.
Practice with free weekly questions tailored for CPO and CPOA certification candidates.