In cover testing, the test that observes eye movement when one eye is covered is called the

In cover testing, the test that observes eye movement when one eye is covered is called the

• A. Monocular
• B. Alternate
• C. Binocular
• D. Unilateral

Answer: (D)

Cover testing aims to detect misalignment by seeing how the eyes respond when binocular viewing is disrupted. In the unilateral cover test, you cover one eye while the patient fixes on a target and you watch the other eye for any movement as the cover is placed on and removed. If the uncovered eye shifts when the cover is applied or taken away, that indicates a tropia—a constant misalignment that is present when fusion is disrupted. This test isolates a manifest deviation by removing binocular fusion and watching the non-covered eye for movement to re-fixate. By comparison, the alternate cover test switches covers to repeatedly disrupt fusion, which helps reveal latent deviations (phorias) rather than a constant tropia.

Cover testing aims to detect misalignment by seeing how the eyes respond when binocular viewing is disrupted. In the unilateral cover test, you cover one eye while the patient fixes on a target and you watch the other eye for any movement as the cover is placed on and removed. If the uncovered eye shifts when the cover is applied or taken away, that indicates a tropia—a constant misalignment that is present when fusion is disrupted. This test isolates a manifest deviation by removing binocular fusion and watching the non-covered eye for movement to re-fixate. By comparison, the alternate cover test switches covers to repeatedly disrupt fusion, which helps reveal latent deviations (phorias) rather than a constant tropia.