American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Practice Test

What might cause a patient to say that distant objects look larger in an eyeglass prescription?

1. A. Flatter base curve

2. B. Steeper base curve

3. C. Tinted lenses

4. D. Progressive lenses

The correct answer is: B. Steeper base curve

A possible explanation is that a steeper base curve in an eyeglass prescription will cause magnification of distant objects, making them appear larger. This is because the curvature of the lens increases, bending the light rays more and causing them to converge closer to the eye. This can be helpful for patients with conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) who have difficulty seeing objects in the distance. The other options, such as a flatter base curve, tinted lenses, or progressive lenses, would not have the same effect and would not be chosen in this scenario.