OEBC OSCE Component key terms

The main reason a patient seeks eye care, usually recorded in the patient's own words. It guides the focus of the examination and helps prioritise questions and tests.

A detailed account of how the current problem began, including timing, location, severity, triggers, and associated symptoms. It turns the chief complaint into a clear clinical narrative.

A question that invites a patient to explain in their own words rather than answer yes or no. It helps reveal concerns, expectations, and details that closed questions can miss.

A communication technique in which the clinician restates or summarises the patient's message to confirm understanding. It shows empathy and encourages the patient to share more information.

A method of checking understanding by asking the patient to explain information or instructions in their own words. It reveals gaps and supports safe, effective communication.

The process of explaining a proposed test or treatment, including benefits, risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse, then confirming the patient agrees voluntarily. It protects patient autonomy.

Information about a patient's lifestyle, occupation, living situation, hobbies, and habits such as smoking or alcohol use. It can reveal risk factors relevant to eye health and management.

A record of all medicines a patient uses, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements. It helps identify ocular side effects, interactions, and adherence issues.

A magnified examination of the eye using a slit lamp, which combines a light source and a microscope. It allows detailed assessment of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens.

A slit-lamp technique that spreads a wide, unfocused beam across the eye. It gives a general overview of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and other anterior structures before finer examination.

A slit-lamp technique using a narrow beam to create a cross-sectional view of transparent or semi-transparent tissue. It helps judge depth, thickness, and the location of corneal or lenticular abnormalities.

A slit-lamp technique in which light reflects from a deeper structure, such as the retina or iris, to highlight opacities or irregularities in more anterior tissue. It appears as a glowing background.

A handheld examination of the fundus using an ophthalmoscope held close to the patient's eye. It gives a magnified, upright view but a limited field and is useful for screening the optic disc and macula.

A fundus examination using a head-mounted or handheld light with a condensing lens. It provides a wider, inverted view of the retina and is useful for peripheral retinal assessment.

A technique using a special contact lens and slit lamp to view the anterior chamber angle. It helps assess whether the angle is open or closed and identify abnormalities related to glaucoma.

A method of measuring intraocular pressure by flattening a small, fixed area of the cornea with a calibrated probe after anaesthetic and fluorescein instillation. It is a reference standard for pressure measurement.

A slit-lamp method for estimating anterior chamber depth by comparing the thickness of the peripheral corneal optical section with the adjacent anterior chamber gap. It helps screen for angle-closure risk.

The ratio of the optic cup's diameter to the optic disc's diameter, estimated during fundus examination. A large or asymmetric ratio can suggest glaucomatous damage and requires further assessment.

A reddish-orange glow seen when light reflects from the retina through the pupil. It is used to check for media opacities, misalignment, and retinoblastoma, especially in children.

A measure of visual resolution using rows of letters that decrease in size. The patient reads the smallest line possible, and the result is recorded as a fraction such as 20/20 or 6/6.

A vision chart in which letter size changes by a constant logarithmic step and each line has an equal number of letters. It allows precise scoring, including letter-by-letter acuity.

A lens with equal plus and minus power in perpendicular meridians, used during subjective refraction. Flipping it helps refine the cylindrical axis and power while the patient compares two views.

A subjective test using red and green targets to check spherical balance. Patients compare clarity between the two colours; a difference can indicate whether the eye is over- or under-corrected.

Deliberately adding plus power to relax accommodation during refraction. It helps control focusing effort so that subjective refinement reflects the eye's refractive error more accurately.

An objective method of estimating refractive error by observing how light reflects from the retina as a streak is moved across the eye. It is useful when subjective responses are limited.

A refraction performed after eye drops relax the ciliary muscle and often dilate the pupil. It is especially useful in children and in patients with suspected accommodation-related or latent hyperopia.

A binocular vision test in which one eye is covered while the other fixates, and the uncovered eye is observed for movement. It detects manifest and latent strabismus.

The closest point at which both eyes can maintain single binocular vision while a target moves toward the nose. A receded or remote result can indicate convergence insufficiency.

A quick estimate of eye alignment using a penlight and observing the corneal light reflex. The position of the reflex relative to the pupil indicates whether the eyes are straight or deviated.

The ability to perceive depth from the slight differences between the images received by each eye. It is tested with special targets and helps assess binocular function.

Reduced vision in one or both eyes caused by abnormal visual experience during development, not by structural eye disease. Early detection and treatment improve outcomes.

The time between a complete blink and the first dry spot appearing in the tear film after fluorescein instillation. Short values suggest tear film instability and dry eye.

A standard scale for grading anterior eye complications, such as redness, corneal staining, and lid changes, on a scale from zero to four. It improves consistency in contact lens practice.

A slit-lamp test using fluorescein to check for a full-thickness corneal or scleral wound. A positive result shows a dark stream diluting the green fluorescence, indicating aqueous leakage.

A measurement of the curvature of the central cornea, usually expressed as radius and power in two meridians. It is used for contact lens fitting and estimating corneal astigmatism.

The curvature of the back surface of a contact lens, usually described by its radius. Selecting an appropriate base curve helps the lens align with the cornea and fit comfortably.

A technique using fluorescein dye and blue light to highlight areas where the corneal or conjunctival surface is damaged. It is also used in applanation tonometry and tests for leakage.

The range of activities, procedures, and decisions a clinician is legally and professionally permitted to perform. It is set by legislation, regulation, and professional standards.

The ethical and legal duty to protect a patient's personal health information from unauthorised disclosure. It can be breached only with consent or when required by law.

The written or electronic record of a patient encounter, including history, findings, diagnoses, advice, and follow-up plans. Clear records support continuity of care and professional accountability.