Cover Test
Dr Rajeev Raut Eye Clinic Raut Eye Care

Read the article to know more about Cover Test

Reviewed by
Dr. Aditya Raut M.B.B.S D.O.MS
Updated on Mar 14  •  2 mins read
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What is Cover Test

The Cover Test is an eye examination that assesses how well your eyes work together.It measures the ability of each eye to move when it is covered, and the ability of the eyes to maintain alignment when one eye is covered and the other is uncovered.

It is used to detect strabismus (eye misalignment) and also assesses the degree of eye misalignment.The test is done by having the patient look at an object with both eyes open and then having one eye covered at a time.

The doctor then observes how the uncovered eye moves when the covered eye is uncovered.If the uncovered eye moves inwards, outwards, up or down, then it indicates that the eyes are not working together properly and strabismus is present.

The Cover Test is a simple and quick test that is used to accurately assess eye misalignment and can help diagnose a variety of vision disorders.


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When to do Cover Test

  1. Cover Test should be done in all age groups. It is especially important to do a Cover Test in children and adults who have a history of vision problems or strabismus. It can also be done in older adults who are experiencing a change in vision or eye alignment.
  2. A person should see a doctor urgently for a Cover Test if they experience sudden double vision or if they notice an eye turn or misalignment. It is also important to seek medical attention if a person experiences a sudden decrease in vision, as this could be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.

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Diseases in which Cover Test is done

  1. Strabismus: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has strabismus, which is an eye misalignment. The Cover Test helps diagnose strabismus by evaluating how the eyes move in the direction of the uncovered eye.
  2. Amblyopia: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has amblyopia, which is poor vision in one eye caused by abnormal visual development. The Cover Test helps diagnose amblyopia by measuring the amount of vision improvement in the affected eye when the other eye is covered.
  3. Convergence Insufficiency: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has convergence insufficiency, which is an inability of the eyes to turn inward correctly. The Cover Test helps diagnose convergence insufficiency by measuring the amount of effort required to turn the eyes inward.
  4. Diplopia: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has diplopia, which is double vision. The Cover Test helps diagnose diplopia by measuring the amount of double vision seen when the eye is uncovered.
  5. Farsightedness: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has farsightedness, which is the inability to see objects clearly up close. The Cover Test helps diagnose farsightedness by measuring the amount of vision improvement in the affected eye when the other eye is covered.
  6. Nearsightedness: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has nearsightedness, which is the inability to see objects clearly at a distance. The Cover Test helps diagnose nearsightedness by measuring the amount of vision improvement in the affected eye when the other eye is covered.
  7. Astigmatism: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has astigmatism, which is an irregular curvature of the corneal surface. The Cover Test helps diagnose astigmatism by measuring the amount of vision improvement in the affected eye when the other eye is covered.
  8. Anisometropia: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has anisometropia, which is the unequal refractive power of the two eyes. The Cover Test helps diagnose anisometropia by measuring the amount of vision improvement in the affected eye when the other eye is covered.
  9. Nystagmus: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has nystagmus, which is an involuntary, rapid, and rhythmic oscillation of the eyes. The Cover Test helps diagnose nystagmus by measuring the amount of eye oscillation when the eye is uncovered.
  10. Ocular Motility Disorders: The Cover Test is indicated to determine whether a patient has ocular motility disorders, which are any abnormalities of the eye muscles. The Cover Test helps diagnose ocular motility disorders by

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Symptoms that require Cover Test

  1. Diplopia: Diplopia is a condition where a person sees double images of a single object. Cover Test is indicated to determine if the double vision is due to an eye misalignment.
  2. Strabismus: Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not aligned and point in different directions. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of eye misalignment.
  3. Amblyopia: Amblyopia is a condition where one eye is reduced in vision due to the eye not being used. Cover Test is indicated to determine if one eye is weaker than the other.
  4. Refractive errors: Refractive errors are conditions in which the eye does not focus properly. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of refractive error.
  5. Nystagmus: Nystagmus is a condition in which the eyes move rapidly and uncontrollably. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of movement.
  6. Head tilt: Head tilt is a condition in which the head is tilted to one side. Cover Test is indicated to determine if the tilting is affecting vision.
  7. Ocular motility: Ocular motility is a condition in which the eyes do not move properly. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of ocular motility.
  8. Visual field: Visual field is a condition in which the peripheral vision is affected. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of visual field loss.
  9. Binocular vision: Binocular vision is a condition in which both eyes do not coordinate properly. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of binocular vision impairment.
  10. Eye movement: Eye movement is a condition in which the eyes do not move properly. Cover Test is indicated to measure the degree of eye movement impairment.

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How Cover Test is done

  1. The Cover Test is a simple and painless procedure used to measure how well your eyes work together. Your doctor will use a special machine to help perform the test.
  2. First, your doctor will ask you to focus on a single point. This may be a bright light or a small object, like a pen. You will then be asked to keep your eyes on that point while the machine moves a special covering in front of one eye.
  3. Your doctor will then ask you to report when you can no longer see the point you were focusing on. When you report that you can’t see the point, the doctor will move the covering away from your eye and ask you to report when you can see the point again.
  4. By moving the covering in and out of your vision, your doctor can determine how well your eyes work together. This will help your doctor better understand any vision problems you may have.
  5. The Cover Test is a simple and painless procedure that can help your doctor determine how well your eyes work together.

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How long will Cover Test take

  1. The Cover Test usually takes just a few minutes to complete. After the test is finished, the results will be ready right away. Depending on the complexity of the test, we may take a few more minutes to analyze the results and make sure everything looks okay. Once we are finished analyzing the results, we can provide you with the report immediately.

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Reviewed By

Dr.Aditya Raut, MBBS, DOMS, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, with experience of over 3000 cataract surgeries.

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Article Reviewed by Dr. Aditya Raut M.B.B.S D.O.MS Cataract Lasik and refractive surgeon
Specialist in number reduction surgery, Refractive Lens exchange and ICL surgery.

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