Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) Practice Test

The purpose of using strips during a Schirmer test is primarily to avoid corneal contact, as the strips are specifically designed to gather tears without the need for direct contact with the eye surface. This is important because it reduces the risk of irritation or damage to the cornea during the test, allowing for a more accurate assessment of tear production. The strips are placed in the lower conjunctival sac and absorb the tears over a specified period, providing a measurement of tear production which is critical in diagnosing conditions like dry eye syndrome.

Although the other options touch on aspects related to eye care, they do not accurately describe the function of the strips in the Schirmer test. For instance, strips do not stimulate tear production; instead, they measure the natural tear output. They also do not play a role in measuring visual acuity or assessing eye pressure, which are separate tests with distinct methodologies and purposes.