Final answer:
The statement is false; covering the eye does not test for the ability to close one eye independently, which can indicate potential neuromuscular issues. Eye exams assess for various conditions, including binocular vision, eye muscle coordination, and possible nerve damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false that occluding (covering) the eye with the hand held flat does not reveal a person's inability to close only one eye. Covering the eye does not necessarily test the function of the muscles responsible for closing the eyelids, such as the orbicularis oculi muscles.
The ability to close one eye while keeping the other open is often tested during an eye examination to assess for proper function of the facial nerves and muscles. If someone cannot close one eye without assistance, it might indicate a neuromuscular issue such as Bell's palsy or a lesion affecting the neural pathways.
The observation that holding a finger up and alternating the closed eye can cause an apparent shift in the position of the finger due to the parallax effect is used during an eye exam to assess binocular vision and eye muscle coordination.
When a patient fails to move one eye in sync with the other, a condition called internuclear ophthalmoplegia may be suspected. Additionally, the pupillary light reflex, which involves constriction of both pupils when light is shone in one eye, can reveal optic nerve or oculomotor nerve damage.