Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) Practice Test

Corneal topography is a diagnostic imaging technique specifically designed to create a detailed map of the corneal surface. This mapping process reveals the curvature and shape of the cornea, which is crucial for understanding various eye conditions and planning surgeries such as LASIK or fitting contact lenses. By visualizing the cornea’s contour, practitioners can identify irregularities that may affect vision, diagnose conditions like keratoconus, and tailor treatments to individual anatomical needs.

The other options outline important tests related to eye health but do not pertain directly to the primary function of corneal topography. Measuring ocular pressure is typically performed with tonometry, evaluating anterior segment alignment relates to the positioning of eye structures, and assessing peripheral vision focuses on visual field testing, none of which involve the detailed mapping of the cornea's shape. Thus, the primary purpose of corneal topography is accurately encapsulated in that the best description is the mapping of corneal shape.