A patient may experience photophobia and poor near vision after what procedure?

The occurrence of photophobia and poor near vision following a cycloplegic refraction is attributed to the use of cycloplegic agents, which are medications used to temporarily paralyze the ciliary muscle of the eye. This paralysis inhibits the eye's ability to focus on near objects, leading to blurred vision for close tasks. In addition, while under the influence of these medications, patients may also experience increased sensitivity to light or photophobia, as the dilated pupils allow more light to enter the eye and may impair the ability to adapt comfortably to varying light levels.

In contrast, the other procedures mentioned—visual field testing, fundus examination, and retinoscopy—typically do not induce these specific symptoms. Visual field testing and retinoscopy generally do not require any pharmacological intervention that would affect focusing or light sensitivity, and while fundus examination may involve dilation, it does not usually result in ongoing near vision impairment to the extent seen with cycloplegic refraction. Therefore, the symptoms of photophobia and poor near vision are most closely associated with the effects of cycloplegic refraction.