Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

When determining the appropriate percentage of a patient's accommodative amplitude to hold in reserve for a reading add set at 14 inches, it is essential to consider the recommended practice guidelines. Holding a reserve is crucial because it helps ensure that the patient can maintain comfortable and clear vision, accounting for variations in the distance from which they are viewing the text and any fluctuations in their accommodative ability.

Typically, a reserve of approximately 50% of the patient's accommodative amplitude is deemed suitable when working with near tasks. This guideline allows for a buffer that accommodates potential visual fatigue or unexpected demands on their visual system. Therefore, reserving half of the accommodative ability helps to avoid straining the eyes, particularly during sustained reading, where the risk of accommodative fatigue is higher.

Additionally, having this reserve helps provide the necessary comfort for transitional visual tasks, such as moving from reading materials to looking up from a page. In practice, this 50% reserve is an established standard that retains visual efficiency while minimizing discomfort for the patient.