Free LSBOE Optometry Licensing Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the LSBOE Optometry Licensing Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Louisiana optometrist is offered a staff position by an ordinary retail corporation that is neither a professional optometric nor professional medical corporation. May the optometrist accept the position as an optometrist?

   1. A. No, that employment is prohibited
   2. B. Yes, if compensation is a fixed salary
   3. C. Yes, if the corporation does not set clinical fees
   4. D. Yes, after filing the employment contract with the board

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule says a licensed optometrist "is prohibited from accepting employment as an optometrist from" an ordinary corporation that is not an eligible professional corporation. The retail corporation does not qualify.

   Reference: Lac Title 46 Li — LAC 46:LI.109(A)(1)

2. 2Gonioscopy suggests an iris configuration causing relative pupillary block in a Louisiana patient. Which authorized laser procedure directly creates an alternate aqueous route from the posterior to the anterior chamber?

   1. A. Laser peripheral iridotomy
   2. B. Selective laser trabeculoplasty
   3. C. Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy
   4. D. Argon peripheral iridoplasty

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The clinical reference describes LPI for "relative pupillary block by creating an alternative pathway for aqueous flow." Trabeculoplasty treats trabecular outflow, capsulotomy opens an opacified capsule, and iridoplasty changes peripheral iris configuration.

   Reference: AAO EyeWiki: Laser Peripheral Iridotomy — Indications, Laser Peripheral Iridotomy

3. 3A patient arrives with sudden severe ocular pain, a red eye, blurred vision, and nausea. Which diagnosis best fits this symptom cluster and needs emergency assessment?

   1. A. Acute anterior uveitis
   2. B. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
   3. C. Microbial keratitis
   4. D. Subconjunctival hemorrhage

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The National Eye Institute calls acute angle closure "a medical emergency" and lists sudden pain, red eye, nausea, and blur. Uveitis and keratitis may cause pain and redness but do not as specifically account for the full pressure-crisis pattern; subconjunctival hemorrhage is typically painless.

   Reference: National Eye Institute: Types of Glaucoma — Angle-closure glaucoma

4. 4A Louisiana limited liability company wants to employ an optometrist. Which ownership arrangement satisfies the optometry employment rule?

   1. A. The LLC is domiciled in any state and has an optometrist as manager, while investors who are not licensed clinicians remain members
   2. B. The LLC is domiciled in Louisiana and every member is a Louisiana-licensed optometrist or physician, or an eligible professional corporation
   3. C. The Louisiana LLC includes one licensed health professional and several members engaged only in business administration
   4. D. The Louisiana LLC permits nonprofessional ownership up to 49 percent when clinical decisions are contractually protected

   Answer: B

   Explanation: An eligible LLC must be "domiciled in the state of Louisiana" and each member must be a Louisiana-licensed optometrist or physician or an eligible professional optometric or medical corporation. The described all-qualified Louisiana LLC meets that rule.

   Reference: Lac Title 46 Li — LAC 46:LI.109(A)(2)

5. 5An eye has ocular hypertension, a visible open trabecular meshwork, and a need for pressure reduction. Which laser treatment directly targets trabecular outflow?

   1. A. Selective laser trabeculoplasty
   2. B. Laser peripheral iridotomy
   3. C. Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy
   4. D. Retinal scatter photocoagulation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The reference states "Both ALT and SLT are indicated for the treatment of ocular hypertension." SLT targets trabecular outflow; the other lasers address iris block, capsule opacity, or retinal disease and do not match this open-angle target.

   Reference: AAO EyeWiki: Laser Trabeculoplasty — Disease, Laser Trabeculoplasty

6. 6A patient reports a sudden shower of floaters, flashes, and a dark curtain over part of one visual field. Which disposition best protects vision?

   1. A. Schedule a standard refraction when convenient.
   2. B. Arrange urgent dilated evaluation for retinal detachment.
   3. C. Wait for the floaters to clear before examining the retina.
   4. D. Start routine glaucoma surveillance at the next visit.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The National Eye Institute states, "Retinal detachment is a medical emergency." Flashes, new floaters, and a curtain are warning signs that require urgent retinal evaluation.

   Reference: National Eye Institute: Retinal Detachment — Symptoms and urgent care, Retinal Detachment

7. 7Which Louisiana entity may employ a licensed optometrist under an express exception to the general employment restrictions?

   1. A. A national optical retailer
   2. B. An unlicensed outpatient clinic
   3. C. A licensed hospital or hospital affiliate
   4. D. A management company with no professional owners

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The exception expressly includes "a licensed hospital or hospital affiliate" among entities from which an optometrist may accept employment. The other entities are not within that exception.

   Reference: Lac Title 46 Li — LAC 46:LI.109(B)(1)

8. 8After cataract extraction, a patient has a centered intraocular lens and posterior capsule opacity that impairs reading. Which laser procedure addresses the opacity?

   1. A. Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy
   2. B. Focal retinal photocoagulation
   3. C. Selective laser trabeculoplasty
   4. D. Laser peripheral iridotomy

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The reference says "PCO causing visual disturbance is most commonly treated" with Nd:YAG capsulotomy. The other lasers target retinal vessels, trabecular outflow, or an iris block, not the opacified posterior capsule.

   Reference: AAO EyeWiki: Posterior Capsule Opacification — Management, Posterior Capsule Opacification

9. 9A patient with diabetes now has later-stage retinopathy and new visual deterioration. What should the optometrist prioritize in the treatment plan?

   1. A. Continue observation without arranging treatment evaluation.
   2. B. Arrange prompt evaluation for active retinal treatment.
   3. C. Wait until visual acuity returns to baseline spontaneously.
   4. D. Treat the refractive error alone and defer retinal assessment.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The National Eye Institute states, "In later stages, it’s important to start treatment right away — especially if you have changes in your vision." New decline in later-stage disease merits prompt active treatment evaluation.

   Reference: National Eye Institute: Diabetic Retinopathy — Treatment, Diabetic Retinopathy

10. 10A Louisiana optometrist proposes sharing professional-service fees with a marketing company simply because it generated leads. What is the governing rule?

    1. A. Fee sharing is allowed when the marketing company is named on each invoice and every patient receives advance written disclosure
    2. B. Fee sharing is allowed whenever the percentage is below fair market value and the company has no access to clinical records
    3. C. Fee sharing is allowed when patients can decline the referral and the optometrist retains authority over treatment decisions
    4. D. Fee sharing is prohibited unless it occurs through an affiliation specifically authorized by the rule

    Answer: D

    Explanation: The rule says an optometrist "shall not divide, share, split, or allocate, either directly or indirectly, any fee for optometric services or materials" except through listed affiliations. Lead generation alone is not such an affiliation.

    Reference: Lac Title 46 Li — LAC 46:LI.111(A)