Illinois Vision Certification Practice Test

What does the term "Phoria" indicate?

1. Normal vision

2. A constant and unique vision pattern

3. Deviation with a tendency to misalign

4. A form of near-sightedness

The correct answer is: Deviation with a tendency to misalign

The term "Phoria" refers to a condition in which there is a tendency for the eyes to misalign when binocular vision is disrupted. In simpler terms, it denotes a latent deviation of the eyes that is not always visible. Under typical circumstances, the eyes work together harmoniously, but when a person is not actively focusing on an object—such as when one eye is covered—the misalignment may become apparent. In clinical practice, assessing phoria is essential for understanding how well a person can maintain proper visual alignment. Individuals with phoria may not experience noticeable symptoms when both eyes are used together, but they might struggle with tasks requiring sustained focusing or changes in gaze, leading to fatigue or discomfort. The other options relate to different visual conditions or alignments. Normal vision does not imply any deviation, while a constant and unique vision pattern suggests a stable alignment, which is contrary to the nature of phoria. Near-sightedness specifically refers to myopia, which involves difficulty seeing distant objects clearly and does not relate to the concept of phoria.